New hospitality concepts unveiled for e Red Sea

THE RED SEA development in Saudi Arabia will begin welcoming guests this year, when the first hotels open. Phase one, which includes the opening of 16 hotels in total, will be completed next year. While the Nujma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (one of just five Reserve properties in the world), the St. Regis Red Sea Resort and Six Senses Southern Dunes are expected to open this year, there will be a number of other hotels which will open by the end of next year from brands including Rosewood, Jumeirah, SLS, Fairmont, Ra les, Hyatt and Intercontinental, among others. However, one of the projects that has been creating a significant buzz recently is the Sheybarah Resort (pictured here) which will also open in the first phase and will be located on its own island. Renders from Killa Design reveal plans for 73 pod-like futuristiclooking beach and overwater villas. The property will also feature a centralised solar farm that will power the resort, with fresh water supplied from a solar-powered desalination plant.

New routes where the A380 will commence flying to this year from Dubai:

■ Glasgow (March 26)

■ Christchurch (Linked service via Sydney from March 26)

■ Hong Kong (Daily from March 29)

■ Casablanca (April 15)

■ Nice (June 1)

■ Birmingham (July 1)