Shebara Resort Named Among TIME’s World’s Greatest Places of 2025

Shebara, the first owned and operated resort by Red Sea Global (RSG), has been named one of TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places of 2025. The prestigious listing recognizes the resort as a one-of-a-kind destination that seamlessly blends luxury, sustainability, and the captivating natural beauty of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the recognition highlights the Kingdom’s growing prominence in global tourism and its commitment to developing world-class, environmentally responsible destinations under Vision 2030.

Context and Background

Shebara is a flagship project within the Red Sea development, a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious tourism strategy. Red Sea Global, the developer behind the destination, is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and is tasked with creating regenerative tourism experiences that preserve and enhance the natural environment. The resort’s inclusion in TIME’s 2025 list places it alongside other remarkable global destinations and underscores the Kingdom’s emergence as a premier travel destination. This recognition arrives as Saudi Arabia accelerates efforts to diversify its economy away from oil, with tourism playing a pivotal role in generating new revenue streams and creating employment opportunities for Saudi citizens.

Key Details

TIME Magazine praised Shebara for its innovative design, noting that amid a flurry of high-profile openings in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea development, the homegrown Saudi project stands out with its futuristic architecture. The resort’s overwater and beachfront villas, constructed from stainless steel, blend harmoniously with the horizon as light refracts off their surfaces. Located 25 kilometers from the mainland, Shebara is accessible via a 30 to 40-minute boat ride or a 30-minute seaplane flight from Red Sea International Airport (RSI). The resort offers tailored experiences that reflect Saudi hospitality values, ensuring guests enjoy both luxury and cultural authenticity.

Implications and Impact

The TIME recognition is expected to significantly boost international awareness of Shebara and the broader Red Sea destination, attracting discerning travelers from around the world. It also reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a leader in sustainable tourism, showcasing how luxury can coexist with environmental stewardship. For Red Sea Global, the accolade validates its commitment to regenerative development and sets a benchmark for future projects. Moreover, the listing is likely to stimulate further investment in Saudi tourism infrastructure, contributing to the Kingdom’s goal of welcoming 150 million visitors annually by 2030.

Vision 2030 Alignment

Shebara’s selection as one of TIME’s World’s Greatest Places of 2025 directly supports Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and elevate the Kingdom’s global standing. By offering unique, sustainable luxury experiences, Shebara exemplifies how Saudi Arabia is transforming its tourism sector and creating new opportunities for economic growth and cultural exchange. As the Kingdom continues to develop giga-projects and enhance its hospitality offerings, achievements like this underscore its commitment to becoming a world-class destination while preserving its natural and cultural heritage for future generations.

20 Questions

Q1. What is Shebara?

A1. Shebara is the first owned and operated resort by Red Sea Global (RSG), located along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline. It features overwater and beachfront villas designed to blend luxury with sustainability and natural beauty.

Q2. Which magazine recognized Shebara as one of the World’s Greatest Places of 2025?

A2. TIME Magazine selected Shebara for its prestigious World’s Greatest Places of 2025 list, highlighting the resort’s innovative design and unique guest experiences amid Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea development.

Q3. What makes Shebara’s design stand out?

A3. Shebara’s futuristic architecture features stainless steel villas that blend into the horizon as light refracts off their surfaces, creating a seamless integration with the surrounding turquoise waters and natural landscape.

Q4. How far is Shebara from the mainland?

A4. Shebara is situated 25 kilometers from the mainland, offering guests a secluded and serene escape while still being accessible via boat or seaplane from Red Sea International Airport.

Q5. How can visitors reach Shebara?

A5. Visitors can reach Shebara by a 30 to 40-minute boat ride or a 30-minute seaplane flight from Red Sea International Airport (RSI), ensuring convenient access to this luxurious destination.

Q6. What is Red Sea Global?

A6. Red Sea Global is the developer behind the Red Sea destination, wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). It focuses on creating regenerative tourism experiences that preserve and enhance the natural environment.

Q7. Why is TIME’s recognition significant for Saudi Arabia?

A7. The recognition boosts international awareness of Saudi Arabia’s tourism offerings, validates its sustainable development approach, and supports Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and attract global travelers.

Q8. What amenities does Shebara offer?

A8. Shebara offers overwater and beachfront villas, tailored experiences reflecting Saudi hospitality values, and access to the pristine Red Sea environment, ensuring a luxurious and culturally authentic stay for guests.

Q9. How does Shebara contribute to sustainability?

A9. Shebara is part of Red Sea Global’s regenerative tourism approach, designed to minimize environmental impact and preserve the Red Sea’s natural beauty, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable development.

Q10. What is the Red Sea development?

A10. The Red Sea development is a flagship Saudi giga-project comprising luxury resorts, islands, and sustainable tourism infrastructure, aimed at positioning the Kingdom as a top global destination while protecting the environment.

Q11. Who owns Red Sea Global?

A11. Red Sea Global is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, which drives the Kingdom’s economic diversification and strategic investments under Vision 2030.

Q12. What did TIME Magazine say about Shebara?

A12. TIME Magazine praised Shebara’s innovative design, stating that amid a flurry of high-profile openings in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea development, the homegrown Saudi project stands out with its futuristic architecture.

Q13. How does Shebara reflect Saudi hospitality?

A13. Shebara provides tailored experiences that embody Saudi hospitality values, ensuring guests receive warm, personalized service that reflects the Kingdom’s rich cultural traditions and modern luxury.

Q14. What is the significance of Shebara being the first RSG-owned resort?

A14. As the first owned and operated resort by Red Sea Global, Shebara sets a benchmark for future projects, demonstrating RSG’s capability to deliver world-class, sustainable luxury experiences in Saudi Arabia.

Q15. How does Shebara align with Vision 2030?

A15. Shebara supports Vision 2030 by enhancing Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, attracting international visitors, creating jobs, and showcasing the Kingdom’s ability to develop sustainable, luxury destinations that diversify the economy.

Q16. What is the expected impact of this recognition on tourism?

A16. The TIME listing is expected to attract more international travelers to Shebara and the Red Sea region, boosting visitor numbers and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s reputation as a premier global tourism destination.

Q17. What type of villas does Shebara offer?

A17. Shebara offers overwater and beachfront villas constructed from stainless steel, designed to blend into the horizon and provide guests with stunning views of the Red Sea’s turquoise waters.

Q18. Where is Shebara located?

A18. Shebara is located along the Red Sea coastline, 25 kilometers from the mainland, within the broader Red Sea development, accessible via boat or seaplane from Red Sea International Airport.

Q19. How does Shebara blend luxury with nature?

A19. Shebara’s architecture uses reflective stainless steel to mirror the surrounding seascape, while its sustainable design and operations minimize environmental impact, allowing guests to enjoy luxury in harmony with nature.

Q20. What does this recognition mean for Saudi Arabia’s global image?

A20. It underscores Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a leading sustainable tourism destination, highlighting the Kingdom’s successful efforts to diversify its economy and offer world-class experiences that rival established global destinations.

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