Despite the US-Iran conflict weighing on tourism demand across the Gulf, Saudi Arabia is continuing its Red Sea tourism expansion with the opening of Rosewood Amaala.
Red Sea Global (RSG) has opened the luxury resort at Amaala, its wellness-focused destination on the Red Sea coast. It is the third Amaala resort to become operational this year, following the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Amaala at Triple Bay in June and Six Senses Amaala in July.
The 110-key Rosewood Amaala spans 40 hectares and comprises pavilions, suites and villas, as well as 26 branded residences. According to RSG, the property is fully powered by solar energy.
The latest opening comes against a challenging backdrop for tourism in the region. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimated in March that the US-Iran conflict was costing the Middle East’s tourism sector US$600 million (R9,6 billion) a day.
After growth of 5,3% in 2025, the WTTC forecasts that travel and tourism activity in the Middle East will contract by 14,5% this year. It also forecasts that the Gulf’s travel and tourism sector will lose about 137 000 jobs in 2026 as the conflict affects visitor demand.
Despite these pressures, development at Amaala is continuing. Once complete, the destination is intended to comprise nearly 4 000 hotel rooms across 30 resorts, alongside 1 200 luxury residences, retail, dining and recreational facilities.
