MILAN — Saudi Arabia‘s plans for its new ultra-luxury tourist destination, Sindalah Island, have come to fruition as it prepares to welcome its first visitors. The exclusive resort destination is part of Neom, an area that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman designated in 2017 as an emblem of the nation’s future and that lies at the northern tip of the Red Sea, facing the eastern coast of Egypt.
The firm of Italian architect and designer Luca Dini, which was tapped to spearhead the masterplan and the complete design, said Friday the island includes an 86 berth superyacht marina, yacht and golf clubs, a village, three five-star hotels with more than 550 ultra-premium rooms, villas and apartments, 38 restaurants, 51 boutiques and much more.
Covering more than 200 acres, Luca Dini Design & Architecture said the island draws inspiration from elegant Italian tourist destinations and aims to showcase Made in Italy not only through architecture and materials but also through lifestyle.
“The urban planning components are part of a harmonious and sustainable architectural context, respectful of the surrounding fragile marine environment,” Dini said. This is also in line with the Saudi government’s environmental sustainability goals.
The studio said the location will welcome visitors from “every corner of the world over the next few months.”
The Golf Club on Sindalah Island
Courtesy of Luca Dini Design & Architecture
Dini founded his studio in 1996 in Florence. Over the years, Luca Dini Design & Architecture has risen to the fore for its involvement in the super yacht sector and its designs for luxury yachts. Dini expressed enthusiasm Friday over his participation in redefining experiential luxury.
“Sindalah Island is an extraordinary adventure that is redefining the model of sustainable urban design and we are proud to contribute with our know-how, consolidated over years of transversal experience in the world of nautical, design and international architecture, to the creation of a project that will redefine the very model of ‘experiential luxury,’” Dini said.
According to Neom’s website, the island, which is known for its diverse marine eco system, boasts Mariott Bonvoy apartments and a Four Seasons Resort. Sindalah Island is set to welcome up to 2,400 guests a day by 2028, and will also generate around 3,500 jobs, helping to drive the ongoing development of the Kingdom’s thriving hospitality and tourism industries, thereby supporting diversification of the economy in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
In October, a fleet of superyachts celebrated Sindalah’s debut as a top yachting destination. The celebration was attended by 650 guests, including royalty, Michelin-starred chefs and A-list celebrities. In October, it was also revealed that the Sindalah Yacht Club was developed in collaboration with Italian designer Stefano Ricci.
Inbound tourism in Saudi Arabia increased by 64.8 percent in 2023 versus 2022 to 109.3 million, according to the Saudi Arabian government’s ministry of tourism. The government’s investment in tourism spend also increased 24 percent.
Tourism projects like Sindalah Island are a significant part of the Saudi government’s strategy to drive the growth and diversification of its economy, working toward several of its Vision 2030’s goals, including increasing the private sector’s contribution to gross domestic product to 65 percent and increasing the contribution of non-oil exports from 16 to 50 percent, among others.
Luca Dini
Courtesy of Luca Dini Design & Architecture
