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.



Latest Tests Show Seine Water Quality Was Substandard When Paris Mayor Took a Dip

 Boats carrying members of delegations sail along the Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024. (AFP)
Boats carrying members of delegations sail along the Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024. (AFP)
TT

Latest Tests Show Seine Water Quality Was Substandard When Paris Mayor Took a Dip

 Boats carrying members of delegations sail along the Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024. (AFP)
Boats carrying members of delegations sail along the Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024. (AFP)

Tests results released Friday showed the water quality in the River Seine was slightly below the standards needed to authorize swimming — just as the Paris Olympics start.

Heavy rain during the opening ceremony revived concerns over whether the long-polluted waterway will be clean enough to host swimming competitions, since water quality is deeply linked with the weather in the French capital.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo took a highly publicized dip last week in a bid to ease fears. The Seine will be used for marathon swimming and triathlon.

Daily water quality tests measure levels of fecal bacteria known as E. coli.

Tests by monitoring group Eau de Paris show that at the Bras Marie, E. coli levels were then above the safe limit of 900 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters determined by European rules on June 17, when the mayor took a dip.

The site reached a value of 985 on the day the mayor swam with Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet and the top government official for the Paris region, Marc Guillaume, joined her, along with swimmers from local swimming clubs.

At two other measuring points further downstream, the results were below the threshold.

The statement by Paris City Hall and the prefecture of the Paris region noted that water quality last week was in line with European rules six days out of seven on the site which is to host the Olympic swimming competitions.

It noted that "the flow of the Seine is highly unstable due to regular rainfall episodes and remains more than twice the usual flow in summer," explaining fluctuating test results.

Swimming in the Seine has been banned for over a century. Since 2015, organizers have invested $1.5 billion to prepare the Seine for the Olympics and to ensure Parisians have a cleaner river after the Games. The plan included constructing a giant underground water storage basin in central Paris, renovating sewer infrastructure, and upgrading wastewater treatment plants.