Saudi Arabia launches Sindalah Island in NEOM’s Red Sea project

Saudi Arabia has launched Sindalah, a luxury island resort in the Red Sea, marking the first physical destination within its ambitious NEOM mega-city project.

Expected to welcome up to 2,400 guests per day by 2028, the island aims to set a new standard in luxury tourism with restaurants, high-end hotels, and berths for yachts, according to NEOM’s CEO Nadhmi al-Nasr.

Sindalah’s debut precedes Riyadh’s upcoming investment forum, often called “Davos in the Desert,” which will showcase NEOM’s progress and invite further global interest.

The 200-acre island is designed to give visitors a “first glimpse” of NEOM’s extensive portfolio, which includes The Line—NEOM’s flagship 170-kilometer mirrored skyscraper project, intended to accommodate up to nine million residents by 2045.

However, NEOM has been dogged by controversy over its feasibility and allegations of human rights abuses, including forced evictions of local tribes. Saudi authorities have faced criticism for handling of the Huwaitat tribe, some members of which reportedly faced execution for opposing the project.

Despite this, NEOM continues as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to diversify its economy beyond oil, especially with plans to bid for the 2034 World Cup.

While the project’s timeline has been adjusted, Saudi Arabia remains committed to reshaping its global image, building sustainable infrastructure, and expanding its tourism and hospitality industries.

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