The plan will see 19 locations being considered for development in addition to a $10bn development at Al-Auqair - the 100 square-kilometre site spans 15 kilometres of coastline and will be developed over the next 20 years.

Salah al-Bukhayyet, deputy secretary general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT) said the plan surveyed the Saudi Red Sea coast from Jordan to Yemen, accounting for natural attractiveness, environmental and historical aspects. Those sites identified will now be prioritised for tourism development.

For each destination, the commission is expecting an investment by the chosen developer of at least $2bn. This will cover infrastructure and project construction costs (MEED 09:05:08).

The plan had received approval from the Supreme Economic Council on 4 May, where it underwent review by the Council of Ministers.