Sindalah resort faces stagnation 11 months after opening

Sindalah, a luxury resort island in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea, is facing significant operational challenges just 11 months after its high-profile opening. Despite an inaugural celebration that reportedly cost approximately $54 million (7.3 billion yen) and featured global celebrities, the destination is currently described as a “beautiful ruin.”

Data from marine tracking services indicates that no yachts are currently moored at the island's marina. The project, which is the first completed component of Saudi Arabia’s massive NEOM futuristic city initiative, has seen construction costs climb to nearly $4 billion (650 billion yen), triple the original estimates.

Major hospitality developments have also stalled; four Marriott-branded hotels intended to open in 2024 have no active reservation systems, and the opening of a Four Seasons resort has been postponed until 2028. Promotional materials for the island have been significantly scaled back on official NEOM websites.