Red Sea Global has officially opened the first resort at its AMAALA development, marking the launch of operations at the Kingdom’s flagship luxury wellness destination on the northwestern coast of the Red Sea.

The milestone was celebrated with the inauguration of Four Seasons Resort and Residences AMAALA in Triple Bay, the second major destination delivered by Red Sea Global and a key step in Saudi Arabia’s strategy to strengthen its position in the global luxury tourism market.

John Pagano, Group Chief Executive Officer of Red Sea Global, described the opening as a significant achievement for the project and a realization of the company’s long-term vision. He said the development demonstrates how regenerative tourism can support economic growth while delivering environmental and social benefits. Pagano added that the company is preparing to welcome its first guests and continue expanding the destination with additional resorts in the coming months.

The opening signals AMAALA’s transition from the construction phase to full-scale operations. The destination has been designed around wellness, wellbeing, and transformative travel experiences, with a focus on holistic health and luxury hospitality.

Once fully developed, Triple Bay is expected to offer more than 1,600 hotel rooms across nine luxury resorts. The area will also feature a waterfront district with high-end retail outlets, fine dining venues, and attractions including the AMAALA Yacht Club and the Corallium Marine Life Institute.

As the first operational property within the destination, Four Seasons Resort and Residences AMAALA combines luxury accommodation with sustainability-focused infrastructure. Designed by U+A, the resort operates entirely on renewable energy and incorporates advanced waste-management systems aligned with a zero-waste approach aimed at minimizing environmental impact and supporting local ecosystem conservation.

The resort includes 202 guestrooms, suites, villas, and garden residences overlooking the Red Sea. It also offers 26 branded private residences ranging from 552 square meters to more than 1,000 square meters, each featuring a private swimming pool.

Wellness facilities include the 2,095-square-meter Helia Wellness and Spa Center and a 511-square-meter fitness facility equipped with modern training technology. Guests can participate in specialist-led wellness programs that include sound therapy and yoga sessions along the shoreline.

Dining is available across six venues, including MAA Social, which focuses on Middle Eastern coastal cuisine, and ROKA, situated beside a private bay. Family-oriented amenities include five swimming pools, a 900-meter private beach, the Kids For All Seasons program, and a dedicated technology-focused club for teenagers.

For corporate and social events, the resort provides more than 1,000 square meters of adaptable event space suitable for executive meetings, luxury weddings, international conferences, and high-profile summits.

Visitors will also have access to wider experiences across Triple Bay, including guided visits to the Corallium Marine Life Institute, designed by Foster + Partners, as well as the AMAALA Yacht Club and Marina Village, home to a curated collection of luxury retail and dining establishments.

The Four Seasons Resort and Residences AMAALA is the first of nine resorts scheduled to begin welcoming guests at the destination this year, as Red Sea Global continues its plans to reshape the future of luxury and wellness tourism.

Source: SAUDI PRESS AGENCY

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has taken action against 21 Umrah service providers, suspending them from offering services to pilgrims after identifying performance deficiencies and regulatory violations.

According to the ministry, the decision is based on evaluations conducted during the previous Umrah season, which highlighted a noticeable decline in service quality among several operators, along with breaches of established regulations governing the sector.

Of the companies affected, 15 were suspended due to low performance scores under the ministry’s approved assessment framework, while six others were penalized for violations that required formal corrective measures.

Officials said the move forms part of early preparations for the upcoming Umrah season and reflects ongoing efforts to ensure that pilgrims receive consistently high standards of service.

The ministry explained that its evaluation system relies on a set of operational and supervisory indicators designed to measure compliance and service quality. These mechanisms are intended to strengthen competition among service providers, raise industry standards, and support the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which includes enhancing the experience of pilgrims visiting the Kingdom and the Prophet’s Mosque.

Reaffirming its regulatory stance, the ministry emphasized that it maintains a zero-tolerance approach toward any shortcomings that could affect service quality or the rights of pilgrims. It added that continuous monitoring and evaluation of Umrah companies remain central to improving the sector and ensuring sustained service development.

Saudi Arabia recorded more than 11.2 million Umrah pilgrims during the fourth quarter of 2025, according to newly released figures from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

The data shows that a total of 11,291,326 people performed Umrah during the period. Of these, 5,701,525 arrived from outside the Kingdom, while 5,589,801 performed the pilgrimage from within Saudi Arabia.

Men made up 6.4 million of the total pilgrims, accounting for 56.8 percent, while women represented 4.9 million, or 43.2 percent.

Among those performing Umrah domestically, non-Saudis formed the majority at 53.2 percent, compared with 46.8 percent Saudi citizens. The report also indicated that repeated participation remained limited, with only 2.9 percent performing Umrah more than once during the quarter.

At the regional level, the Makkah Region accounted for 2,002,701 domestic pilgrims, while the Riyadh Region contributed 1,146,451.

Gender patterns differed among international pilgrims, where women slightly outnumbered men, making up 53 percent of arrivals from abroad.

Monthly figures showed varying peaks in activity. December recorded the highest number of international pilgrims at 2,142,252, while domestic pilgrimage peaked in November with 2,059,838 participants.

Air travel remained the dominant entry route for overseas pilgrims, with 4,976,861 arriving by air, representing the vast majority of international arrivals.

Age distribution data revealed that pilgrims aged 55 to 64 constituted the largest share of international visitors at 18.9 percent. Among domestic pilgrims, the 25 to 34 age group represented the highest proportion at 26.6 percent.

Beyond Makkah, a total of 5,722,584 people visited Madinah during the quarter, including 3,846,284 international visitors.

Red Sea Global has officially opened the first resort at its AMAALA development, marking the launch of operations at the Kingdom’s flagship luxury wellness destination on the northwestern coast of the Red Sea.

The milestone was celebrated with the inauguration of Four Seasons Resort and Residences AMAALA in Triple Bay, the second major destination delivered by Red Sea Global and a key step in Saudi Arabia’s strategy to strengthen its position in the global luxury tourism market.

John Pagano, Group Chief Executive Officer of Red Sea Global, described the opening as a significant achievement for the project and a realization of the company’s long-term vision. He said the development demonstrates how regenerative tourism can support economic growth while delivering environmental and social benefits. Pagano added that the company is preparing to welcome its first guests and continue expanding the destination with additional resorts in the coming months.

The opening signals AMAALA’s transition from the construction phase to full-scale operations. The destination has been designed around wellness, wellbeing, and transformative travel experiences, with a focus on holistic health and luxury hospitality.

Once fully developed, Triple Bay is expected to offer more than 1,600 hotel rooms across nine luxury resorts. The area will also feature a waterfront district with high-end retail outlets, fine dining venues, and attractions including the AMAALA Yacht Club and the Corallium Marine Life Institute.

As the first operational property within the destination, Four Seasons Resort and Residences AMAALA combines luxury accommodation with sustainability-focused infrastructure. Designed by U+A, the resort operates entirely on renewable energy and incorporates advanced waste-management systems aligned with a zero-waste approach aimed at minimizing environmental impact and supporting local ecosystem conservation.

The resort includes 202 guestrooms, suites, villas, and garden residences overlooking the Red Sea. It also offers 26 branded private residences ranging from 552 square meters to more than 1,000 square meters, each featuring a private swimming pool.

Wellness facilities include the 2,095-square-meter Helia Wellness and Spa Center and a 511-square-meter fitness facility equipped with modern training technology. Guests can participate in specialist-led wellness programs that include sound therapy and yoga sessions along the shoreline.

Dining is available across six venues, including MAA Social, which focuses on Middle Eastern coastal cuisine, and ROKA, situated beside a private bay. Family-oriented amenities include five swimming pools, a 900-meter private beach, the Kids For All Seasons program, and a dedicated technology-focused club for teenagers.

For corporate and social events, the resort provides more than 1,000 square meters of adaptable event space suitable for executive meetings, luxury weddings, international conferences, and high-profile summits.

Visitors will also have access to wider experiences across Triple Bay, including guided visits to the Corallium Marine Life Institute, designed by Foster + Partners, as well as the AMAALA Yacht Club and Marina Village, home to a curated collection of luxury retail and dining establishments.

The Four Seasons Resort and Residences AMAALA is the first of nine resorts scheduled to begin welcoming guests at the destination this year, as Red Sea Global continues its plans to reshape the future of luxury and wellness tourism.

Source: SAUDI PRESS AGENCY

Pilgrims arriving in Madinah after completing the Hajj rituals are continuing to visit the historic Quba Mosque, incorporating it into their broader itineraries of Islamic and historical sites connected to the life of Prophet Muhammad.

Regarded as the first mosque established in Islam and founded on the principle of piety, Quba Mosque holds deep religious importance. Many visitors make a point of praying there, following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and acknowledging its spiritual and historical significance.

In recent days, the mosque and its surrounding courtyards have experienced steady visitor activity, particularly as post-Hajj pilgrims arrive in the city. Authorities have implemented an integrated service system to manage crowds, support visitor movement, and ensure a smooth and peaceful worship experience.

Quba Mosque remains one of the most important destinations for pilgrims in Madinah, alongside the Prophet’s Mosque and other notable Islamic heritage sites, offering visitors an opportunity to engage with the city’s religious and historical legacy.

The post-Hajj period has brought a noticeable rise in visitors to Madinah, as pilgrims from various countries arrive at the Prophet’s Mosque and extend their journey to explore the city’s major Islamic and historical landmarks.

A significant number of visitors are including Quba Mosque in their itinerary, recognized as the first mosque established on the foundation of piety. The site receives thousands of worshippers daily, who come to pray and engage with its religious and historical background.

Al-Qiblatain Mosque also continues to draw attention due to its historical role in the change of the Qibla direction from Al-Aqsa Mosque to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, marking an important moment in Islamic history.

Meanwhile, the Mount Uhud area, along with its surrounding courtyards, remains a key destination for visitors. Many travel to the site of the Battle of Uhud and the nearby Martyrs’ Cemetery to reflect on the historical events associated with the location.

Organized visitation programs also include several additional religious and heritage sites across Madinah, reflecting the city’s deep historical significance within Islamic civilization.

Authorities are managing the increased flow of visitors through coordinated operational measures, including structured movement plans, guidance services, awareness efforts, and transport links connecting the Prophet’s Mosque with major landmarks.

The continued arrival of pilgrims after Hajj highlights Madinah’s enduring status as one of the most important destinations for religious and cultural tourism in the Islamic world.