Saudi Arabia’s ultra-luxury tourism project AMAALA has broken ground and has $1.6 billion of contracts currently out to tender across 54 proposals, the project’s developer The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) revealed in a press statement.
TRSDC outlined what it said was “impressive and tangible progress” for AMAALA with first phase of development on track for completion in 2024.
The statement said 300 contracts worth more than 6.62 billion Saudi riyals ($1.76 billion) have been signed to date with Saudi firms accounted for more than 98 percent of the total contract value.
“Surpassing 300 contract awards underscores the scale of this project and the significant progress being made as we press ahead with activity on the ground to bring our destination to life. At AMAALA, we are working to create a sustainable, purpose- and meaning-driven destination for the discerning traveler, and remain closely aligned with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, as we develop one of the top global tourism destinations of the future. I am delighted to be able to showcase the results achieved by our brilliant team and partners,” said John Pagano, CEO of AMAALA and TRSDC.
AMAALA is situated on the north western coast of Saudi Arabia. Developers and planners are billing AMAALA as a place of “self-transformation,” with three communities easily accessible by air, road, and sea.
According to the latest press release, work is well underway on-site to progress the enabling infrastructure and groundwork required to develop the destination, “with more than 2,400 staff already on site and 9.9 million manhours logged to date.” This includes the successful completion of 11 km of roads ahead of schedule to better connect the site. The entrance for Triple Bay is under construction and expected to be completed by October 2022.
The first section of the Construction Village, a home to 5,000 construction workers, is now operational. An additional two sections are in progress to provide accommodation for a further 10,000 workers, developers said. Secondary infrastructure works are also in progress for the development of the first phase of AMAALA’s world-class accommodation at the Employee Village in Triple Bay, set to accommodate nearly 20,000 employees who will eventually operate the destination.
“From the rich natural capital that surrounds our site to the local communities, AMAALA’s masterplans are deeply grounded in maximizing positive environmental, economic, and cultural impacts. As we transform our regenerative commitments into concrete actions, the destination will undoubtedly be an important stepping stone to redefining tourism in the region and beyond,” Mr. Pagano added.
