The developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destination, The Red Sea, has announced a new luxury hotel brand under its umbrella.
Called Shebara, it will open next summer on Sheybarah Island in Al Wajh Lagoon.
This comes a few weeks after it announced its first hospitality project, Thuwal Private Retreat, a 1.7-hectare sandy islet with exclusive suites and a villa available only for buyout.
The new resort, which was revealed at London’s World Travel Market, will have 73 rooms, including stainless steel overwater and beachfront villas, with guests arriving via 45-minute boat ride or 20-minute seaplane journey. It will feature two pools, two restaurants, a spa and fitness centre.
It’s being designed by Killa Design, the same architects as Dubai’s Museum of the Future, and will be powered by its own dedicated solar farm.
The island also features a 30 to 40-metre reef drop-off close to the beach.
The first hotel to open at The Red Sea, Six Senses Southern Dunes, is now welcoming guests. The Red Sea International Airport has also been receiving flights since September.
Digital nomad visas on the rise around the world
A new report by the World Tourism Organisation that analysed 54 global destinations has found that nearly half now have digital nomad visas valid for up to one year.
These visas allow people to live and work in a foreign country while maintaining employment or conducting freelance work for overseas employers or clients.
This rise has gone hand in hand with an increase of digital nomads and destinations are working to meet the demand.
The study looked at seven key areas: Application process, duration of visa, taxation, insurance, accommodation, minimum income requirements and criminal records check.
It found 47 per cent of the destinations offer visas for up to 12 months, 39 per cent exempt remote workers from tax payments and 17 per cent do not have minimum income requirements. A whopping 80 per cent of destinations take one month to process applications, while 76 per cent have online applications. Only 6 per cent do not have visa fees.