Red Sea Global (RSG), the regenerative tourism developer,
has partnered with DarkSky International to establish the world’s first
certification recognising resorts that protect natural night skies through
responsible outdoor lighting.
The initiative aims to reduce light pollution, protect
biodiversity, and create exceptional stargazing experiences for guests.
Two RSG resorts at The Red Sea — Desert Rock and Nujuma, a
Ritz-Carlton Reserve — have become the first properties globally to receive
certification under the new DarkSky Approved Lodging & Resort programme.
Responsible lighting is a key element of regenerative
development, helping reduce energy consumption, preserve natural darkness, and
maintain the light-dark cycles essential for wildlife, including sea turtle
hatchlings that rely on natural night skies to navigate toward the ocean. The
approach also supports the growing global interest in astrotourism.
"Red Sea Global is integrating responsible lighting
into every stage of development to protect the ecological integrity of the
night environment. Through our collaboration with DarkSky International, RSG is
setting a new benchmark for regenerative tourism, demonstrating that preserving
natural darkness not only safeguards biodiversity and ecological processes but
also enriches the guest experience through world-class and authentic
connections with nature,” said Raed Albasset, Group Chief Environment and Sustainability
Officer, Red Sea Global.
The new certification expands on DarkSky International’s
Approved Lodging programme launched in 2023.
During the assessment of RSG’s resorts, DarkSky identified
the need for dedicated resort guidelines, as larger hospitality destinations
require more extensive lighting solutions than typical lodging properties.
Ruskin Hartley, CEO & Executive Director, DarkSky
International, said: “Red Sea Global's commitment to sustainable,
DarkSky-friendly design created an opportunity to evolve our Lodging programme.
Together, we developed resort-specific lighting best practices that recognise
the unique needs of larger hospitality destinations while upholding DarkSky's
rigorous standards for protecting the night.”
RSG currently operates 15 resorts across three destinations
and plans to expand DarkSky compliance across its portfolio as new properties
open. -TradeArabia News Service