Red Sea Tourism in Saudi Arabia Reaches New Milestone with Dark Sky Certification
RIYADH — Two Red Sea Global resorts have become the first in the world to receive a new certification recognizing hospitality destinations that protect natural night skies, marking a milestone in Saudi Arabia’s push for sustainable tourism.
Desert Rock and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, are the first recipients of the DarkSky Approved Resort certification, launched in partnership with DarkSky International. The new standard recognizes large-scale resorts that reduce light pollution through responsible outdoor lighting while protecting biodiversity and enhancing stargazing.
Raed Al-Basseet, Red Sea Global’s group chief environment and sustainability officer, said the company is integrating responsible lighting into every stage of development to protect the night environment. “Through our collaboration with DarkSky International, RSG is setting a new benchmark for regenerative tourism,” he said.
The certification expands DarkSky International’s lodging program to address the unique needs of large resorts, which require more extensive outdoor lighting than conventional hotels.
Majed Abu Zahra, president of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, said dark skies have become a natural resource worthy of protection. “It provides ideal conditions for observing the stars, the Milky Way and other astronomical phenomena,” he told Arab News. “This creates promising opportunities to develop astrotourism in Saudi Arabia.”
Red Sea Global operates 15 resorts across three destinations and plans to expand DarkSky compliance across its portfolio. The developer is building several tourism destinations under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy through sustainable tourism.
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