Significant Progress Announced in Development of Saudi AMAALA Luxury Tourism Destination

Inspired by the purity of the Red Sea, AMAALA is redefining the coastal lifestyle with spaces designed for deep connection to nature, to self, and to community. (SPA)
Inspired by the purity of the Red Sea, AMAALA is redefining the coastal lifestyle with spaces designed for deep connection to nature, to self, and to community. (SPA)
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Significant Progress Announced in Development of Saudi AMAALA Luxury Tourism Destination

Inspired by the purity of the Red Sea, AMAALA is redefining the coastal lifestyle with spaces designed for deep connection to nature, to self, and to community. (SPA)
Inspired by the purity of the Red Sea, AMAALA is redefining the coastal lifestyle with spaces designed for deep connection to nature, to self, and to community. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind the regenerative tourism destinations AMAALA and The Red Sea, said on Sunday it continues to make substantial progress in the ongoing development of AMAALA – a new luxury destination with wellness at its core, that empowers people to live longer, better lives.

Inspired by the purity of the Red Sea, AMAALA is redefining the coastal lifestyle with spaces designed for deep connection—to nature, to self, and to community. From medical and integrative wellness and sun-drenched adventure to world-class art and transformative events, AMAALA seamlessly integrates meaningful spaces for people and the planet to flourish, said RSG in a statement.

“We have achieved remarkable progress across every aspect of AMAALA, from our signature resorts and immersive experiences to essential utilities and infrastructure. Our unwavering focus is on infusing sustainability and regenerative principles into every facet of development,” said RSG Group CEO John Pagano.

“Once complete, AMAALA will present an extraordinary collection of assets and experiences that will elevate wellness, lifestyle, and human connection," he added.

To date, RSG has awarded over 600 contracts on AMAALA worth nearly SAR23 billion ($6.13bn) to world-leading partners. These partners share RSG's ambition to co-create luxury and wellness destinations that are developed in line with responsible development practices, prioritizing regenerative initiatives and collaboration with local communities.

As development advances, a number of key areas of AMAALA are moving toward completion, each one bringing the destination closer to welcoming guests.

At Triple Bay Marina Village, the Equinox Resort is now topped out, and concrete structure work on the Village Boutique Hotel's main building, condos and villas is nearing completion. This bustling hub will soon offer guests a haven of scenic boardwalks, waterfront restaurants, luxurious boutiques and well-known retailers, plus a vibrant year-round events program, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Red Sea.

At the Marina: flooding of the marina basin was complete at the end of 2023, and contracts for the floating pontoons and fixed decks have been awarded as RSG begins putting the final touches on this stunning central feature.

At AMAALA Yacht Club, all construction contracts have been awarded, concrete works are close to completion, and structural steel and MEP works have been started.

At Wellness Core, superstructures are present on 80% of the 220 buildings within this zone. Including world-leading wellness resorts such as Jayasom and Clinique La Prairie, guests here will discover an environment where they can focus on mental, physical, and energetic regeneration.

In another significant development, the Ministry of Health, earlier this year, approved the design of the AMAALA Hospital. The hospital will provide healthcare services for residents and visitors to the 4,200 km2 destination.

Once complete, AMAALA will feature close to 4,000 hotel rooms across 30 hotels as well as 1,200 luxury villas, apartments, and estate homes. It will also be supported by high-end retail, fine dining, wellness, and recreational facilities. AMAALA will be powered entirely by solar energy, saving the equivalent of nearly half a million tons of CO2 emissions every year.



Europe’s Auto Industry Might Face €15 Billion in Fines Over Emissions

A worker walks past parked Renault cars at its stockyard on the outskirts of the western Indian city of Ahmedabad June 11, 2013. (Reuters)
A worker walks past parked Renault cars at its stockyard on the outskirts of the western Indian city of Ahmedabad June 11, 2013. (Reuters)
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Europe’s Auto Industry Might Face €15 Billion in Fines Over Emissions

A worker walks past parked Renault cars at its stockyard on the outskirts of the western Indian city of Ahmedabad June 11, 2013. (Reuters)
A worker walks past parked Renault cars at its stockyard on the outskirts of the western Indian city of Ahmedabad June 11, 2013. (Reuters)

Renault chief Luca de Meo warned Saturday that European carmakers could face fines of 15 billion euros if they fail to respect EU emissions rules, calling for "some flexibility" as electric car sales slow on the continent.

He told France Inter radio: "In order to meet CO2 emission standards calculated on average for all cars sold, manufacturers will have to reduce their production by more than 2.5 million vehicles to avoid being penalized."

De Meo, who is also president of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), said an EV car can compensate for four thermal cars.

"We are now preparing for 2025 because we are taking orders for the cars we're going to deliver. According to our calculations, if EV production remains at today's level, the European industry may have to pay 15 billion euros in fines or give up production of more than 2.5 million units," he said.

"We need to be given a little flexibility. Setting deadlines and fines without being able to make that more flexible is very, very dangerous," he warned.

In August, battery-electric cars accounted for 12.5% of the EU car market, with a 10.8% drop in sales year-on-year.

The Renault chief underlined the importance of the EV market for European industrial battery manufacturing projects. "If electric cars do not sell, these projects will face difficulties," he added.

To explain the weak market for electric vehicles, de Meo cited the high prices of cars, the very slow installation of charging stations and "uncertainty" about the subsidies for the purchase of electric vehicles.

He said the German government ended its electric car subsidy program last December, leading to a drastic drop in sales.

Commenting on those subsidies, he stressed "we need stability, visibility" and "a certain consistency" in our policies.

The European automobile industry is under intense pressure from Chinese competition. Volkswagen warned this week that it would consider closing factories in Germany for the first time in its 87-year history.

This should not happen to Renault, which has already made savings, de Meo assured. "A few years ago, we had to make a very hard decision by reducing production capacity by more than one million vehicles," he explained.