Saudi Arabia's Amaala to be first dedicated destination of wellness tourism in GCC
Melisa Pezuk is the driving force behind Amaala, a bespoke,
regenerative wellness destination on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. With over
two decades of experience in the development of large-scale, iconic projects
across the Middle East, Pezuk has worked on prestigious developments such as
the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the cultural district’s other world-renowned museums.
Now, as head
of development for Amaala, she is guiding one of the region’s most
ambitious projects, blending luxury with wellness and sustainability.
Amaala is
designed to be an ultra-luxury wellness destination, focused on health,
rejuvenation, and the arts, nestled along the pristine Red Sea coast. One of
its crown jewels will be its Arts Village, dedicated to both Saudi and
international artists, as well as hosting major events, concerts, and shows,
all set against the stunning natural backdrop of the region.
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A
Vision for wellness
Pezuk shared
her journey: “I’ve been part of Amaala and Red Sea Global for over five years
now, leading the development team since day one. It’s been an exhilarating
experience. I come from an architecture background, but I’ve been involved in
major signature projects globally, like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim, and
the Zayed National Museum. When I first learned about Amaala and its vision for
wellness and art, it immediately captured my attention. This project isn’t just
about creating one iconic structure—it’s about bringing together a whole vision
around wellness and art. That’s the real challenge.”
Wellness
tourism’s growth
According to
research by Strategy&, the Middle East is now the fastest-growing region in
wellness tourism, with huge untapped potential driven by diverse landscapes and
government initiatives, particularly through PIF-led projects like Amaala.
Pezuk
emphasized: “Wellness tourism is expanding globally at an exponential rate.
Travelers today are more informed—they seek destinations that offer the best in
health and wellness. Amaala will be the first dedicated wellness tourism
destination in the GCC. It’s not just breaking ground in the region, but it’s
set to be a game-changer on the global stage. We looked at global wellness
destinations—Switzerland, Thailand, Spain, Bali—and realized there wasn’t one
place that had it all. So, we brought the best experts in the world together in
one location, which makes Amaala truly unique.”
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A fully
integrated wellness community
Amaala’s
concept goes beyond typical resorts. Pezuk explained: “It’s not just a luxury
resort; it’s an integrated community, a lifestyle destination. We’re offering
second-home residences alongside hotels, alongside cultural and activity
projects. For example, we have the Corallium Marine Life Institute, a yacht
club, equestrian centers, and a sailing school. The idea is to create a
lifestyle within the Red Sea region, one where residents and visitors alike
enjoy a vibrant, interconnected community.”
She continued:
“We’re creating an environment that promotes healthy living for generations to
come. Amaala will not only focus on wellness, but also on awareness. We’ve
brought in top wellness and longevity experts like Clinique La Prairie,
Equinox, and Jayasom, and there are five more partners lined up for our next
phase. They bring unmatched expertise to the wellness community.”
Amaala’s
design reflects its commitment to integration. “Our resorts are designed with
communities of second homes within them,” Pezuk explained. “It’s a fully
connected ecosystem where you have your own space, but you’re also surrounded
by world-class resorts. Whether you’re staying at a residence or a hotel,
everything is woven together seamlessly. We’ve also built a wellness route—a
green belt—for running, biking, and equestrian activities. No fences, no
barriers—just open space, allowing everyone to move freely throughout the
community.”
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Year-round
climate and sustainable development
Located in a
climate that remains at a consistent 32°C year-round, Amaala is one of the only
destinations in the GCC that offers this kind of weather stability. Pezuk noted
that this climate makes it an attractive, year-round destination for wellness
tourism.
Sustainability
is core to the development. Amaala, like all of Red Sea Global’s projects,
employs cutting-edge technologies to minimize its environmental impact. From
AI-powered coral gardening to a robot cleaning the beaches, technology is
playing a key role in creating a sustainable and eco-conscious destination.
Pezuk explained: “We’ve integrated technologies that reduce energy consumption,
ensure cooling systems run efficiently, and minimize noise pollution. We also
have a dark sky policy, and sensitive beach areas, like turtle nesting grounds,
are protected.”
Amaala is
powered entirely by solar energy, reducing its carbon footprint and saving
nearly half a million tonnes of CO2 annually. The destination will limit guest
numbers to 500,000 annually to ensure that the local ecosystem remains unharmed
and will aim for a 30% net conservation benefit by 2040.
Clinique
La Prairie’s longevity resort
One of
Amaala’s most notable partnerships is with Clinique La Prairie, the renowned
longevity clinic and wellness brand. The 36,115-square-meter health resort will
include 13 villas, 74 rooms and suites, and offer four distinct areas focused
on medical care, nutrition, movement, and wellbeing. It will feature a
diagnostics lab, a museum, a beach club, and a private dining space, along with
cutting-edge treatments designed to enhance longevity and overall health.
“The resort
will use the latest in wellness technology, including cryotherapy chambers,
hyperbaric suites, and IV infusion therapy, all aimed at helping clients lead
longer, healthier lives,” Pezuk said.
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Progress
and timeline
Pezuk
confirmed that the first resorts at Amaala are set to open by the end of 2025.
“We’re opening multiple resorts throughout this year and next year. The first
eight will open by mid-2026, and seeing them come to life is incredibly
exciting for us.”
In addition to
Clinique La Prairie and Jayasom, luxury hotel brands like Rosewood, Six Senses,
and Four Seasons will also have properties at Amaala.
As of
September 2024, Red Sea Global had awarded over 600 contracts for Amaala, worth
nearly SAR 23 billion (USD 6.13 billion). “Progress is remarkable across all
aspects of Amaala,” Pezuk said, noting that infrastructure works were nearing
completion.
Triple
Bay: The first phase
Triple Bay,
the first phase of Amaala, is already under construction and is expected to
feature 13 resorts with over 2,000 hotel rooms. Pezuk described it as “an
ultra-luxury coastal community focused on mountains, arts, and sports.”
Located
between the mountains and the sea, Triple Bay boasts three beautiful bays and
clear, pristine waters. The centerpiece of this phase is the $2 billion marina
and yacht club, designed by HKS, which includes a 116-berth marina capable of
hosting super yachts.
“The marina
has a unique architectural design inspired by the waves of the Red Sea
coastline,” Pezuk said. “It’s going to be a key energy space in Amaala, along
with the yacht club and its association with M3 Monaco, which will bring expert
knowledge to the operation.”
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A
commitment to regenerative tourism
Amaala goes
beyond being a sustainable destination; it is part of a larger vision of
regenerative tourism, a concept that focuses on giving back to the community
and restoring local ecosystems. As Pezuk put it: “Regenerative tourism is about
uplifting the community and the environment around us. That’s the vision we
have for Amaala, and for all our Red Sea projects.”
Red Sea Global
has called for greater investment and innovation in regenerative tourism, a
sector that is expected to reach $5.6 trillion globally by 2027. With growing
demand for eco-conscious travel, Amaala aims to meet this demand by blending
luxury with sustainability and community impact.
“We’re not
just creating a destination,” Pezuk concluded. “We’re creating a legacy of
health, wellness, and regeneration that will benefit the local community and
the planet for generations to come.”
Source: https://blooloop.com/
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