Red Sea Global Reveals New Adventure Sports Company for Saudi Kingdom

Red Sea Global Reveals New Adventure Sports Company for Saudi Kingdom
TT

Red Sea Global Reveals New Adventure Sports Company for Saudi Kingdom

Red Sea Global Reveals New Adventure Sports Company for Saudi Kingdom

Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, the Red Sea and Amaala, has launched Akun, a new adventure sports brand that creates authentic and unique experiences for guests at RSG destinations.

Akun operates in line with the responsible ethos of the group, state news agency SPA reported. Akun comes from Arabic meaning “to be”. It is deeply connected to the ambition of empowering guests to find their way. The brand reflects a mission to encourage people to live meaningfully, where every day is different.

“Akun will operate and manage adventure and sports experiences at RSG destinations, including gravel, mountain, fat tire and electric biking, plus trail running and hiking through diverse natural trails. Guests can choose from climbing, scrambling, and a wide selection of thrilling action sports for both beginners and athletes. Akun will also be closely connected to the local communities in each destination, working to develop conservation and cultural trails, and telling the incredible stories of these ancient lands. Akun’s formation comes after the developer’s transformation into Red Sea Global last year, which came with an ambition to establish a series of RSG-owned subsidiary businesses to support the evolution of its developments. WAMA and Galaxea were the first two subsidiary businesses to be announced back in February," said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global.

“Combined with WAMA and Galaxea, our water sports and diving brands, we can now offer a full trio package of sporting experiences ahead of our first guests arriving at the Red Sea this year. Aligning with these brands and our broader company vision, Akun will operate with sustainability at its core and in line with our regenerative ambitions to protect and enhance the local environment. WAMA is responsible for offering invigorating water sport adventures, from stand-up paddleboarding through the destination’s mangrove forests, to sailing the Red Sea’s soft swells, while Galaxea will offer diving experiences that let guests explore the rich marine life below the water."

Akun has already signed two initial partnership deals with operators Bungy New Zealand and Air Sports Group, which will both assess the enormous capacity for adventure tourism at RSG destinations.

Air Sports Group will carry out a 13-week on-site technical assessment to ascertain the air sports potential at both Amaala and the Red Sea, with sports including skydiving, paragliding, paramotoring, and hot air ballooning. Bungy New Zealand will focus on developing the overall adventure tourism plan and concept designs for individual guest experiences.

“Through such partnerships with leading international experts, we are confident that we can successfully unlock the potential of our land, sea and skies, welcoming guests to find their way in this new adventure playground,” added Rosanna Chopra, Executive Director-Destination Development at Red Sea Global.



Heat Wave Forces Iran to Shutter Government Offices and Banks

 An Iranian taxi driver checks his car during the heat surge in Tehran, Iran July 21, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
An Iranian taxi driver checks his car during the heat surge in Tehran, Iran July 21, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
TT

Heat Wave Forces Iran to Shutter Government Offices and Banks

 An Iranian taxi driver checks his car during the heat surge in Tehran, Iran July 21, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
An Iranian taxi driver checks his car during the heat surge in Tehran, Iran July 21, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

A heat wave blanketing Iran has forced authorities to cut operating hours at various facilities Saturday and order all government and commercial institutions to shutter the following day as hospitals receive over 200 people for heatstroke treatment.

The temperature ranged from 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) to 42 C (about 107 F) in the capital, Tehran, according to weather reports.

State-run IRNA news agency said banks, offices, and public institutions across the country would close on Sunday to protect people’s health and conserve energy, due to extreme temperatures and that only emergency services and medical agencies would be excluded.

Babak Yektaparast, Spokesman for the country’s emergency department told the semi-official Mehr news agency 225 people had to seek medical help for heatstroke, adding that some had to be hospitalized.

Mehr also cited Sadegh Ziaian, an official at the National Meteorological Organization, as saying Saturday that the temperature reached over 45 C (113 F) in 10 Iranian provinces, with the highest temperature of 49.7 C (about 121 F) recorded in the last 24 hours in Delgan, the southeastern city in Sistan and Baluchistan province which borders Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He added a drop in temperature was expected Monday, with the heat letting up a bit, but still, he warned that “this does not mean that the air will cool down.”

Authorities also cut working hours on Saturday in many provinces due to the sweltering heat, IRNA reported, adding that high temperatures, over 40 C (104 F), have been registered in Tehran since Friday. Iranian media also warned people to stay indoors until 5 pm local time.

Authorities also said electricity consumption reached record levels of 78,106 megawatts on Tuesday, as the scorching heat persisted and people tried to stay cool.

Nournews, close to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, reported Wednesday that Iran’s temperature is rising at twice the pace of the global temperature which has increased by more than one degree compared to the long-term average. Meanwhile, Iran has become warmer by 2 degrees over the past 50 years, the agency said.

Last year, Iran ordered a two-day nationwide holiday due to increasing temperatures.