Frankly Speaking: John Pagano, CEO of Red Sea Global - A New Saudi Citizen
As-salamu alaykum. When John Pagano, CEO of Red Sea Global, was recently granted Saudi citizenship, it wasn’t just a personal milestone - it stood as a symbol of the Kingdom’s transformation under Vision 2030.
Pagano said he felt deeply honored. “I was honored to have been granted Saudi citizenship, and I’m grateful to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman, and of course, the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for bestowing this honor upon me,” he told a current affairs program.
He’s lived in Saudi Arabia for almost eight years and says he’s grown to love the country, its people, and being part of the Kingdom’s transformation. Since the announcement, he’s been touched by warm, congratulatory messages from Saudis and feels embraced and at home.
Red Sea Global (formerly The Red Sea Development Company) is leading major luxury tourism projects that support Vision 2030 by diversifying the economy into sustainable industries like tourism, culture, and technology. The company is developing the Red Sea and Amaala - two luxury destinations along the western coast that cover thousands of square kilometers of islands, coral reefs, and volcanic landscapes.
Key points he shared:
- The Red Sea project will run on 100% renewable energy, with strict environmental limits - only about 22 islands will be developed and visitor numbers will be capped to protect ecosystems.
- Amaala focuses on wellness, art, sustainability, and marine conservation.
- Both projects are nearing completion. Between them there will be 27 hotels and resorts: nine are open now, 12 by the end of the year, 17 by January, and all 27 by April–May. An international airport already serves the region, currently at about 16 flights a week and expected to grow.
- Development has been phased to refine operations and logistics.
Pagano says there will ultimately be about 80 hotels and resorts across the two projects. He speaks warmly about working with the Crown Prince, noting the leader’s hands-on, detail-oriented approach that pushes for unique and bold designs - not always the cheapest, but attention-grabbing and aligned with the goal of putting Saudi Arabia on the global tourism map.
He believes Saudi Arabia has the natural ingredients to rival places like the Maldives or Egypt: pristine islands, coral reefs, turquoise water, diverse landscapes, plus rich culture and the renowned hospitality of the Saudi people.
A central theme is regenerative development - aiming to improve nature rather than merely avoid harming it. From the start, Pagano says they put nature first and relied on science: extensive baseline marine surveys and spatial simulations guided where and how to build so the net conservation value would increase. They use monitoring tech like water sensors, air monitoring, AI and machine learning to track conditions in real time.
He gave an example where they decided not to develop an island that would have been ideal commercially because it was a favored nesting site for the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle - a choice that put the environment ahead of profit.
Despite early impressions of exclusivity, Pagano insists the destinations will be accessible to many. The initial openings were ultra-luxury but represent only about 10% of total rooms. When Shura Island opens, entry-level pricing will be around $500 a night, with the portfolio made up of roughly 40% four-star, 50% five-star, and 10% ultra-luxury - aiming to be reachable for a broad range of travelers.
Pagano takes pride in the large Saudi workforce involved and loves seeing Saudi staff proudly showcasing their country. For him, the real success is seeing these places alive with people enjoying the Red Sea’s beauty.
May Allah grant continued success and blessings to efforts that protect nature, provide livelihoods, and showcase the beauty of this land.
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