Saudi Red Sea Authority creating first Red Sea map to expand coastal tourism

The Saudi Red Sea Authority has honored the steering committee who determined the new geographical scope for navigational activities and marine tourism on the Red Sea. The committee including the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information as a strategic partner, included 19 representatives from sectors across defense, security, environment and research, who came together to share data and expertise to create the first ever Red Sea coastal tourism map. 

The work of the steering committee focused on preparing a map of the geographical scope of coastal and marine tourism on Saudi’s Red Sea, including how to identify and categorize excluded areas. The new map provides a guide to understand the wider areas for Red Sea activities and where improvements can be made to boost costal tourism. By building the navigational map, appropriate legislation requirements, governance and digital solutions, the committee will now present the map to the Council of Economic and Development Affairs and Council of Ministers for approval. 

Saudi Red Sea Authority, acting Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Mohammed Al-Asiri, said: "This honor comes in celebration of the qualitative work achieved by the Steering Committee during the last 6 months, which worked on collecting and analyzing data and standards for geographical areas, as well as field verification, to reach agreement on the geographical scope and confirm the excluded sites to open the way for the practice of navigational activities and marine tourism in all other areas in the territorial waters of the Red Sea. This work is the result of the integration of everyone's efforts and cooperation to advance towards expanding coastal tourism to achieve the Kingdom's ambitions on the Red Sea within international standards."

The General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information President, Dr. Eng. Mohammed Al Sayel, said: "Geospatial information contributes to protecting the Kingdom's resources and environment and enabling its sustainability. Geospatial information is an important enabler for many sectors and digital fields through geospatial data, applications and spatial analysis. Through this strategic partnership with the Steering Committee, we seek to contribute to the correct use of this information to support the Kingdom's digital economy, which will directly reflect on the Kingdom's advanced investment environment that supports local investments and attracts high-quality international investments."

Since inception in 2021, The Saudi Red Sea Authority has pioneered the advancement of coastal tourism by organizing and enabling navigational and marine tourism activities, working alongside operators and investors, and building a sustainable coastal tourism economy for the Red Sea. The Kingdom's distinguished geographical location on the Red Sea makes it an important center for navigational activities and marine tourism in the region.