Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, The Red Sea and Amaala, has announced it is to become the exclusive agent for Bear Grylls Survival Academy (BGSA) bringing the world-famous survival and adventure brand to Saudi Arabia. The partnership promises to offer outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to learn key team building, wilderness education and survival skills on a variety of course options, all of which have been designed by Bear Grylls himself. It also opens the possibility to collaborate on accessible opportunities including physical and mental wellbeing programs alongside RSG’s adventure sports brand Akun. This follows the developer’s commitment that its destinations will be focused on offering experiences that are accessible and inclusive for guests and visitors with disabilities and special needs.
“Bear Grylls is known the world over for his exhilarating and adrenaline-pumping adventures in nature’s most challenging environments. Yet, always at the heart of these exploits is the central message that nature plays a profound role in shaping us as people – instilling strength, resilience, self-belief, and teamwork. We believe that everyone should have the chance to follow their sense of adventure and will work with the Bear Grylls Survival Academy team to develop outdoor experiences for all, whether adults or young people, and irrespective of physical and cognitive ability,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global.
Red Sea Global is committed to recruiting and training local outdoor enthusiasts in the art of survival and expedition leadership, creating hundreds of jobs for Saudis in a new industry for the Kingdom. This group of local adventurers could end up working in Bear Grylls Survival Academies around the Kingdom, leading courses themselves and creating a new generation of survivalists and adventure-seekers. Bear Grylls OBE has become one of the most recognized faces globally of survival and outdoor adventure. A former soldier in the British Special Forces, Bear is best known for his survival television shows, including his Running Wild expeditions with India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and Hollywood actors including Kate Winslet, Florence Pugh, Channing Tatum and Zac Efron, which have reached over a billion viewers. He is also the UK Chief Scout and the first ever Chief Ambassador to the World Scout Organization, representing a global family of over fifty million Scouts.
Paul Gardiner, BGSA Managing Director, said: “From its steep mountains to its deep wadi valleys, across sand dunes, canyons and coastlines, The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia has some of the most diverse natural environments we’ve ever seen. We look forward to developing a series of BGSA’s signature challenges and assets that allow people to test and ultimately overcome their own limits and expectations. The fact that Red Sea Global has pledged to make this a wholly inclusive guest experience aligns perfectly with the Academy’s mission to bring a sense of achievement and the principle of Never Give Up to as many people as we can.”
The Red Sea is on track to welcome its first guests this year, when the first phase of the international airport and the first hotels will open, beginning with Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea. Amaala will be opened to visitors soon after and remains on track to welcome guests in early 2025.
