The Red Sea: World’s First Forbes-Certified Destination

In a historic milestone for the global tourism industry, Red Sea Global (RSG) has announced that "The Red Sea" destination has become the first in the world to receive comprehensive certification from the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide (FTG).

This achievement marks a paradigm shift in luxury travel. Unlike traditional ratings that focus solely on individual hotels, this destination-wide accreditation follows a year of rigorous strategic planning and intensive evaluations. The assessment covered the entire guest journey across five primary touchpoints: reservations, air travel, ground and maritime transport, and the overall guest experience.

Setting a New International Standard

John Pagano, CEO of Red Sea Global, emphasized that this recognition validates the company’s vision of holistic luxury. "At Red Sea Global, we have always believed that true luxury is defined not just by the beauty of a location, but by the emotions a guest experiences throughout their entire journey," Pagano stated. "Earning this Forbes Travel Guide certification at a destination level is a testament to the exceptional service culture we have instilled across our teams and operators."

Hermann Elger, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, congratulated the destination on this world-first achievement. "Maintaining excellence across an integrated destination requires an extraordinary commitment at every point of contact. The Red Sea has successfully established a new international benchmark for global tourism destinations."

Rigorous Criteria for Sustainable Quality

To maintain these high standards, Red Sea Global established 182 precise service criteria across eight categories, including personalized service, courtesy, efficiency, cleanliness, luxury, and comfort. This framework ensures that the "Forbes standard" is felt not just within the resort walls, but from the moment a guest lands until their final departure.

Adding to the destination's prestige, the first three resorts to open at the site have also been featured in the 2026 Star Awards:

Six Senses Southern Dunes

The St. Regis Red Sea Resort

Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

This certification reinforces Saudi Arabia's position as a leading global hub for regenerative tourism, blending world-class hospitality with an unwavering commitment to service excellence.