Saudi Arabia's Red Sea 'equivalent to Maldives' says IHG boss

The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia is "proportionate" to the Maldives or Seychelles, as indicated by Pascal Gauvin, the overseeing chief of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in India, Middle East and Africa. 

Addressing Arabian Business, he said the ocean's pristine and safeguarded zone will pull in numerous vacationers when venture start to open to the general population. 

"When I see the Red Sea, which has never been worked, I mean what a benefit. Individuals pay a ton to go to the Maldives or Seychelles, however this is identical and an untainted zone that is never been seen. The [Saudi government] needs to safeguard the earth, strive to protect the site and all that is alluring to bring clients," he said. 

Red Sea venture 

In 2017, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad canister Salman propelled the Red Sea venture extending crosswise over 30,000 km of islands and shorelines, more than 30,000 lodgings, an airplane terminal, marinas and amusement focuses. 

Gone for pulling in voyagers, it is required to build the kingdom's GDP to $5.86 billion upon fulfillment, whereby the principal stage is relied upon to be done by 2022. 

IHG is as of now in converses with open inns in the Red Sea venture. The gathering was one of the primary hoteliers to open in Saudi in 1975. It at present has 33 lodgings and is set to open 12 additional inns in the kingdom throughout the following 1-2 years. 

Critical potential 

And keeping in mind that the Red Sea probably won't become the new Maldives, Gauvin stated, it has critical potential. 

"I don't have the foggiest idea if [the Red Sea] will turn into the new Maldives yet when I see the Red Sea site, I see potential. We're now conversing with them about potential lodgings in this spot. When I see the nature of the shoreline, the reality of the improvement group, it's very amazing and we're exceptionally awed in the manner they need to do it," Gauvin said. 

"We are extremely used to the nation... Our system is to take an interest in all projects like the Red Sea, Neom and different locales and proceed with our development," he stated, including that IHG is extending its brands in urban areas including Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar, and is additionally bringing new brands, for example, upper scale way of life brand Voco, which it opened in Dubai and Khobar this year.