Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Global pioneering in sustainable tourism
As climate change intensifies and environmental challenges grow more urgent, biodiversity is emerging as a vital pillar in global sustainability strategies—including in the tourism sector.
According to the World Economic Forum, biodiversity supports nearly 50% of the world’s GDP, making it a key asset for economic and environmental resilience. Healthy ecosystems don’t just absorb carbon—they also sustain communities, protect coastlines, and support industries like agriculture, fisheries, and tourism.
“The climate and biodiversity crises are deeply interconnected and must be tackled together,” says Benj Sykes, Vice President and UK Country Manager at renewable energy company Ørsted. “After ending fossil fuel dependence, restoring biodiversity is one of the most effective ways to combat climate change. Healthy habitats not only mitigate climate impacts but also help us adapt to them.”
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Importance of biodiversity in tourism
In industries like tourism, the consequences of climate change and biodiversity loss are particularly visible. From rising sea levels to degraded natural landscapes, environmental disruption directly impacts the appeal—and viability—of tourist destinations.
“Tourism is at serious risk from climate change,” warns Raed Albasseet, Group Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer at Red Sea Global (RSG). “Extreme weather, coastal erosion, and ecosystem loss can reduce the attractiveness of destinations, which threatens the long-term health of the industry.”
At the same time, traveler preferences are changing. More people are actively seeking sustainable and meaningful experiences.
“A recent Booking.com Sustainable Travel Report found that 93% of global travelers want to travel more sustainably, and 43% feel guilty when they don’t,” Raed shares.
The tourism industry's shift toward regeneration
Kate Heiny, Vice President of Sustainability at Booking Holdings, says the industry is only at the beginning of its sustainability journey—but the demand is clear.
“Travelers are looking for ways to experience the world without harming the planet or the communities they visit,” Kate explains. “We have a big opportunity to help shape the future of tourism by making sustainable choices easy and accessible.”
The travel sector is vast and complex—spanning airlines, accommodations, cruise lines, attractions, and more. Yet, as Kate notes, platforms like Booking.com have a unique ability to connect these stakeholders and offer travelers more responsible options.
“Our sustainability goals include reducing emissions, protecting cultural and natural heritage, and creating long-term value for destinations and local communities.”
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Red Sea Global: A regenerative tourism pioneer
In Saudi Arabia, Red Sea Global is leading a new model of tourism: regenerative tourism. Unlike traditional sustainability, which focuses on minimizing harm, regeneration actively enhances the environment and uplifts local communities.
“Sustainability and regeneration are at the core of everything we do,” says Raed. “We’re not just avoiding negative impacts—we’re restoring ecosystems, empowering communities, and setting a new standard for responsible tourism.”
At its destinations like The Red Sea and AMAALA, RSG is applying bold environmental initiatives:
- Planting over 600,000 mangrove seedlings
- Restoring coral reefs and seagrass meadows
- Creating artificial nesting sites to protect endangered species like the Sooty Falcon
- Growing 5 million+ plants at its on-site nursery
- Operating entirely on renewable energy
“We believe the future of tourism is regenerative,” Raed says. “Visitors are increasingly seeking authentic, responsible experiences. Destinations that embrace this will thrive.”
Challenges in implementing regenerative tourism
Despite its progress, RSG acknowledges the challenges of balancing luxury tourism with ecological responsibility.
“Meeting guest expectations while maintaining high sustainability standards is complex,” Raed admits. “It requires full integration of environmental goals across every aspect of our developments.”
Stakeholder engagement—across government, communities, and international partners—is critical. So is transparency. That’s why RSG collaborates with scientific institutions like King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and uses technology to track key biodiversity indicators such as fish populations and coral health.
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Biodiversity’s role across industries
The importance of biodiversity isn’t limited to tourism. Even in sectors like energy, where nature is less visible, it plays a crucial role in sustainable growth.
“We’ve committed that all new renewable energy assets we commission from 2030 onward will deliver a net-positive impact on biodiversity,” says Benj.
To achieve this, Ørsted has developed a new industry-first biodiversity measurement framework, designed to meet local regulations and international reporting standards.
“We need shared, reliable ways to measure biodiversity impact across projects,” Benj says. “Our goal is to drive transparency and build consensus across sectors.”
A path forward
As more industries recognize the link between biodiversity and resilience, regeneration is becoming a guiding principle—not just for climate goals, but for long-term business success.
“Tourism can—and should—be a force for good,” Raed concludes. “The destinations that embrace regeneration won’t just survive. They’ll lead.”
Source: https://sustainabilitymag.com/
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