Jeddah — The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) has commenced operations at the base camp of the Red Sea Project, one of the world’s most ambitious tourism developments.

The base camp, which is situated on the coastal area near the southern end of the 28,000 square kilometer destination, is the first of numerous enabling works to be carried out in 2019 to provide the essential infrastructure for the project. The work will include temporary roads, bridge, jetties, utilities, workforce accommodation, and a management village which will support the development of the luxury tourism destination.

The base camp, which currently houses 60 people, includes prayer, dining, gym, and other amenities. Solar water heaters provide hot water. Also on-site is an emergency medical facility with a full-time male nurse and an ambulance.

“This is an important milestone for the Red Sea project and takes us another step closer to our goal of creating a truly exquisite tourism destination on the beautiful Red Sea coast,” said John Pagano, CEO of TRSDC.

One of the first priorities overseen from the base camp will be development of the Construction village, a residential compound to house the workforce. The first phase of the construction village will house up to 10,000 people, providing accommodation, amenities, and recreation to the highest standards.

TRSDC will also construct a temporary bridge to connect a hub island — the focal point of the Red Sea project Phase 1 development — to the shore, allowing materials to be transported by road as well as jetties to allow access to the more remote islands. — SG