Red Sea Global highlights biodiversity to attract divers worldwide

This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner.

Nature tourism is on the rise. According to the latest findings from Skift Research, travelers increasingly want to explore unknown destinations that create lasting memories. There is a growing preference for experiences that offer personal challenges and deeper connections with nature.

SkiftX spoke to Dr. Mishari Al-Saud, deputy director of sustainability management at Red Sea Global, to understand how the Red Sea's marine biodiversity helps the destination attract environmentally conscious travelers interested in unique natural experiences.

SkiftX: How does Red Sea Global integrate sustainable tourism with marine conservation efforts in the Red Sea?

Dr. Mishari Al-Saud: Red Sea Global combines luxury tourism with environmental protection, setting new standards in the industry. We view tourism and conservation as mutually reinforcing. Our goal is to go beyond minimizing our footprint and actively improve the environments we interact with. For example, we use advanced technologies to monitor coral health, relocate endangered corals, and develop coral farming techniques. Our floating nurseries along the Red Sea coast have nurtured corals in 300 locations with an 87 to 97 percent success rate.

We are also creating a global movement that directly engages our guests in our conservation efforts. Visitors have the opportunity to actively participate in coral restoration and innovative conservation techniques. This holistic approach ensures that every development and visitor interaction improves our valued ecosystems.

SkiftX: What are the main goals behind Red Sea Global's strategy to make diverse marine environments accessible to tourists?

Al Saud: Oceans cover over 70 percent of the Earth's surface and are vital to our existence, but receive less attention and funding than projects on land. UN Sustainable Development Goal 14, which focuses on marine life, is the least funded of all the goals. $175 billion is needed annually by 2030, but from 2015 to 2019 the country only received less than $10 billion. This lack of funding is partly due to the fact that the oceans are often out of sight and therefore beyond consciousness.

At Red Sea Global, we want to shift this focus by highlighting the importance and beauty of the Red Sea's marine environment. We are committed to preserving these habitats while making them accessible to tourists. We minimize our impact on the environment through careful planning and innovative techniques so that visitors can enjoy these ecosystems responsibly. Our goal is to strengthen the connection between people and the oceans and increase awareness and support for ocean conservation.

SkiftX: What ecotourism experiences can visitors look forward to in the Red Sea?

Al Saud: The Red Sea offers a holistic experience that connects guests with nature, culture and local communities. A visitor's day might begin with a hike along a path between land and coast, navigating intertidal zones and planting mangroves to observe the ecosystems where crabs, fish and migratory birds thrive. They can then enjoy a traditional Saudi meal in a village and experience the hospitality and rich flavors of the region. The day could end with stargazing under a night sky protected by the Dark Sky Initiative and free of light pollution.

These experiences are led by local Saudi guides who have extensive knowledge of the region's natural landscapes and cultural heritage. They facilitate cultural exchanges between guests and local artisans, craftsmen, farmers and musicians, helping guests better understand Saudi Arabia's rich heritage and natural beauty.

SkiftX: What unique species can divers explore in the Red Sea that they might not encounter elsewhere?

Al Saud: The Red Sea is rich in marine biodiversity and is home to the most beautiful and resilient corals in the world. It is home to 175 species of coral and offers diverse habitats for flora and fauna, including 195 species of fish, which divers can experience first-hand.

These wonders include a significant number of endangered and endangered species such as the dugong, Halavi guitarfish, and green and hawksbill turtles, as well as a thriving, eight-meter-tall single coral colony estimated to be around 600 years old, an ancient giant that demonstrates the resilience of this remarkable ecosystem attests.

Our mission is to protect these species so that these habitats remain pristine and healthy for divers.

SkiftX: How does RSG approach the challenge of showcasing rare marine species without impacting their natural habitats?

Al Saud: We have deliberately designed our destinations to accommodate no more than one million visitors to the Red Sea and half a million to AMAALA each year to protect these vulnerable areas from overcrowding. Our development is equally restrained – we are developing only 22 of over 90 Red Sea islands and using only five percent of the AMAALA site.

We have adopted a 16-point code of conduct for diving experiences, which includes using reef-friendly sunscreen and practicing precise buoyancy control to minimize any impact on marine life. We also rotate dive sites to avoid overuse and ensure these sensitive habitats remain undisturbed.

These actions help us protect the Red Sea's marine species and ecosystems and preserve their vibrancy for future generations.

SkiftX: How does RSG measure the success of its marine life conservation initiatives and what have been some of the notable results so far?

Al Saud: Protecting our natural environment is our top priority. So before a shovel hit the ground, we conducted comprehensive Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and sent scientists to catalog and assess the Red Sea destination's biodiversity. This process led us to the important decision to develop only 1 percent of the 28,000 square kilometer area and leave the rest untouched. This exercise also helped us set the goal of achieving a net conservation benefit of 30 percent for the area by 2040.

The true measure of our success will be 2040, but until then we are using science-based methods to ensure our activities effectively support our conservation goals. In the meantime, we're already celebrating some exciting milestones. We have successfully transplanted one million saplings from our mangrove nursery in our target areas. We expect to grow another two million mangrove seedlings this year. We also created over 83,367 square meters (20 acres) of new wetlands and now regularly attract wildlife such as barn swallows, blue thrushes and black kites.

Other measures to measure success include advanced monitoring technologies and comprehensive environmental surveys. For example, we use robots and machine learning to monitor coral cover and capture 3D images, allowing scientists to quickly detect and combat threats such as coral bleaching and invasive species.

SkiftX: How does RSG educate and engage visitors about the importance of marine conservation during their stay?

Al Saud: Our water sports brands WAMA and Galaxea play a key role in educating visitors about marine conservation. The WAMA Sailing Club offers lessons in sustainable sailing practices, while Galaxea's diving instructors teach the importance of preserving marine flora and fauna.

Additionally, our land-based adventure brand, Akun, educates visitors about the interdependence between land and marine ecosystems and the importance of the Ridge to Reef (R2R) concept. This integrated management strategy views ecosystems as interconnected and emphasizes the need to manage them as a coherent whole.

We are also developing a Coral Cadets program that would allow international guests and Saudi locals to work with scientists, communities and coral farmers to engage in coral restoration activities.

SkiftX: Looking ahead, what future initiatives does RSG have planned to improve marine biodiversity conservation and the visitor experience?

Al Saud: As we expand and have now opened three resorts on the Red Sea and have an international airport for domestic and international flights, we continue to focus on innovation in regenerative tourism. More resorts are set to open later this year and AMAALA and Thuwal Private Retreat are preparing to welcome visitors.

Other plans include developing a coral breeding laboratory to enable year-round production of juvenile corals, essential to maintaining coral populations and promoting reef resilience, as well as creating dedicated habitats to protect endangered species and ensure their survival among changing conditions Environmental conditions. At the same time, our scientists are pioneering the use of 3D printed materials to build artificial reefs, creating more diverse marine life and improving the overall health of the underwater ecosystem. These are some powerful examples of our unwavering commitment to promoting regenerative tourism.

For more information about the Red Sea, see Visitredsea.

This content was created in collaboration with Red Sea Global and Skift's branded content studio, SkiftX.