Saudi Red Sea resorts become world’s first to earn certification for protecting night skies

 

Saudi Red Sea resorts receive DarkSky Approved Resort certification 

Saudi Arabia has reached another milestone in sustainable tourism, with two flagship Red Sea destinations becoming the first hospitality resorts in the world to receive the newly launched DarkSky Approved Resort certification for preserving natural night skies.

Desert Rock and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, are the inaugural recipients of the global certification, introduced through a partnership between Red Sea Global (RSG) and DarkSky International. The recognition highlights the resorts’ commitment to reducing light pollution, protecting biodiversity, and creating immersive stargazing experiences for visitors.

The certification establishes a new international benchmark for large-scale hospitality developments that balance luxury tourism with environmental stewardship. It expands DarkSky International’s lodging program, first introduced in 2023, to address the complex lighting requirements of expansive resort properties while maintaining rigorous standards for preserving the natural nighttime environment.

 

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Raed Al-Basseet, Group Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer at Red Sea Global, said the initiative reflects the company’s long-term vision of integrating sustainability into every stage of development.

"Red Sea Global is integrating responsible lighting into every stage of development to protect the ecological integrity of the night environment," Al-Basseet said. "Through our collaboration with DarkSky International, we are setting a new benchmark for regenerative tourism, demonstrating that preserving natural darkness not only safeguards biodiversity and ecological processes but also enriches the guest experience through authentic connections with nature."

The recognition comes amid growing global demand for astrotourism, with travelers increasingly seeking destinations that combine pristine natural landscapes with exceptional night-sky viewing. Responsible lighting practices also contribute to energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and help protect wildlife whose natural behaviors depend on the Earth's day-night cycle.

According to DarkSky International, the new certification was developed after identifying the need for specialized standards tailored to large resort developments, where outdoor lighting infrastructure is significantly more extensive than in traditional hotels.

"Red Sea Global’s commitment to sustainable, DarkSky-friendly design created an opportunity to evolve our lodging program," said Ruskin Hartley, CEO and Executive Director of DarkSky International. "Together, we developed resort-specific lighting best practices that recognize the unique needs of large hospitality destinations while upholding DarkSky’s rigorous standards for protecting the night."

 

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Hartley noted that the rapid rise of astrotourism is making destinations with exceptionally dark skies increasingly attractive to travelers seeking authentic outdoor experiences.

Environmental experts have also welcomed the achievement as an important step toward protecting natural ecosystems. Majed Abu Zahra, President of the Jeddah Astronomical Society and a member of Astronomers Without Borders, said preserving dark skies has become a global environmental priority rather than simply an astronomical concern.

"Dark skies are no longer important only to astronomers or stargazing enthusiasts," Abu Zahra said. "They have become a natural resource worthy of protection because of their environmental, tourism, and scientific value."

He explained that minimizing light pollution not only conserves energy but also safeguards wildlife species whose migration, feeding, and reproduction depend on natural cycles of darkness. At the same time, darker skies provide ideal conditions for observing the Milky Way and other celestial phenomena, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s potential to become a leading destination for astrotourism.

To achieve the prestigious certification, resorts must demonstrate outstanding night-sky quality, implement responsible outdoor lighting systems, and successfully complete an independent assessment by DarkSky International’s lighting specialists.

 

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Red Sea Global currently operates 15 luxury resorts across three destinations and plans to extend DarkSky compliance across its growing portfolio as new developments come online.

Owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Red Sea Global is spearheading several tourism megaprojects under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, combining environmental conservation with world-class hospitality as it seeks to position Saudi Arabia among the world's leading sustainable tourism destinations.

Source: Arab News