Inclusive Tourism Experiences Showcase Accessibility, Connection, and Regenerative Hospitality at The Red Sea.
Red Sea Global (RSG) is demonstrating that exceptional tourism is about far more than breathtaking scenery. Through a thoughtfully curated four-day experience for guests with visual impairments, the developer has highlighted how accessibility, inclusion, and meaningful human connection are becoming integral to Saudi Arabia’s evolving tourism landscape.
Hosted at Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, five guests with visual impairments explored the destination through sound, touch, taste, and storytelling rather than sight alone. The initiative forms part of Red Sea Global’s ongoing commitment to ensuring its destinations are welcoming and accessible to everyone, reinforcing the Kingdom’s ambitions to create world-class tourism experiences that align with Saudi Vision 2030.
Accessibility designed into every stage of the guest journey
From the moment guests arrived at Red Sea International Airport, accessibility was embedded into every stage of the journey. Team members vividly described the destination’s architecture, artwork, and surroundings, allowing visitors to build their own mental images before embarking on a series of immersive cultural, wellness, and outdoor experiences.
The itinerary included Saudi cooking classes, desert hiking, falconry, archery, sustainability workshops at Earth Lab, traditional Saudi coffee preparation, music, stargazing, and sound healing sessions. Each activity was carefully adapted through tactile experiences, verbal guidance, and specialist support, allowing participants to fully engage with the destination’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Regenerative tourism embraces inclusion, sustainability, and meaningful connection
As part of the experience, guests also explored the regenerative philosophy that underpins The Red Sea, discovering how sustainability extends beyond environmental protection to include creating inclusive spaces where every visitor can participate with confidence and dignity.
Tourism experiences created for every ability and every traveler
Mark Dyer, Associate Director for Accessibility, Destination Development at Red Sea Global, explained: “Accessibility isn’t just about the facilities. It’s about being able to experience the destination in the same way as everyone else. We are committed to creating memories and experiences for people with disabilities that are equitable and inclusive across our resorts. For these particular activities we wanted to explore how senses other than sight can enhance and enrich an experience. The most important thing is looking at the whole journey, from arrival to the beach, to restaurants, to activities. Every part of that experience needs to work.”
The experience left a lasting impression on participants. Reflecting on the desert hike, guest Mansour said: “Hiking on the dunes was truly something else, almost like stepping into a different world. The breeze felt so clean, time passed quickly. We did not even notice an hour and a half go by, just talking, sharing stories, and taking it all in. It was my first time doing anything like this. The team made it so accessible for us that we did not use our canes.”
Noura shared a memorable moment during the falconry experience: “I had always imagined falcons to be much bigger than they really are. Holding one today, and feeling its feathers and shape, changed that completely. Hearing the instructors describe it helped me form a clear picture in my mind for the first time. It was such a special experience.”
Mohammed, founder of the coffee brand Four Senses, embraced the opportunity to prepare traditional Saudi coffee for fellow guests, while Mansour praised the sustainability activities, saying: “I really enjoyed the focus on sustainability. I did not know you could make soap from used cooking oil and create such amazing scents. Recycling paper was a first for me, and I would love to try it at home. The team did a great job explaining the process.”
Looking ahead, Red Sea Global intends to continue refining its accessibility strategy through direct collaboration with people living with disabilities.
Mohammed Alnemer, Manager, Red Sea Sports & Entertainment, said: “When we began this work two years ago, we saw an opportunity to make the destination more accessible for everyone. One of the first steps was building a community and working directly with guests with disabilities. That is why we launched this initiative, inviting guests with different needs to experience the destination and share their feedback and recommendations. Their insights help us shape experiences that are more inclusive and meaningful.”
By placing accessibility alongside sustainability and regenerative tourism, Red Sea Global is demonstrating that truly exceptional destinations are defined not only by what visitors see, but by how they are welcomed, included, and inspired.
Discover how Red Sea Global is redefining inclusive, regenerative tourism.
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