https://arab.news/wb3a4
RIYADH: Coastal towns across the Middle East are undergoing a significant transformation, evolving from seasonal vacation spots into vibrant, year-round communities.
The rise of remote employment has prompted many workers to relocate to these coastal areas, leading to an increased demand for diverse amenities and housing options. As a result, these towns are adapting to accommodate a varied population.
Omar El-Hamamsy, group CEO of Orascom Development Holding, has observed this shift firsthand. He noted that towns that were once seasonal are now welcoming year-round residents with a range of lifestyles. 鈥淧eople discovered that basically this whole differentiation between a primary home and a secondary home doesn鈥檛 exist anymore,鈥� he stated in an interview with Arab News.
鈥淭oday, all of our towns are actually populated almost year-round with people who choose to actually come live here and work from here because now it鈥檚 become acceptable for people to do remote work,鈥� El-Hamamsy added.
Omar El-Hamamsy, group CEO of Orascom Development Holding. Supplied
Orascom Development Holding is transforming its coastal properties to create communities where residents can live and work. The company鈥檚 investments in infrastructure will support business, education, and wellness initiatives across seven countries, including 11 destinations like Egypt鈥檚 fully integrated town, El Gouna.
Spanning 36.9 million sq. meters, Orascom鈥檚 El Gouna is home to over 25,000 full-time residents. Located along the Red Sea coastline, it has evolved from a luxury resort into a fully integrated town featuring 40 neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, marinas, and restaurants.
El-Hamamsy further emphasized El Gouna鈥檚 transformation into a diverse international community: 鈥淎lmost half of our buyers here are people who don鈥檛 live in Egypt in the first place, lots of Europeans, we start increasingly having people from the GCC.鈥�
According to him, El Gouna鈥檚 appeal is tied to its robust facilities, which include high-speed internet, reliable infrastructure, and access to educational and medical services.
El Gouna now features luxury residences, commercial zones, and co-working spaces, creating an integrated community rather than a traditional single-purpose resort.
Multifunctional development
Tuban is a newly launched multipurpose district within El Gouna. Spanning nearly a million square meters, Tuban features residential areas, commercial zones, marinas, and the region鈥檚 first upscale senior living community.
Mohamed Amer, CEO of El Gouna, explained that Tuban 鈥渋s going to be 1 million (sq. meters) right in the heart of El Gouna, and what鈥檚 new about Tuban is that it鈥檚 very much multi-discipline.鈥�
He added: 鈥淪o there is residential, there is commercial, there is marina, and there is hospitality.鈥�
Mohamed Amer, CEO of El Gouna. Supplied
Amer shared: 鈥淓very neighborhood is going to be designed by a different designer. We already launched the first neighborhood that was designed by Hector Barroso, who is a Mexican designer. And the second neighborhood is going to be launched in probably six weeks. And it鈥檚 a different designer from Spain.鈥�
Future residents of El Gouna鈥檚 Tuban district can anticipate short wait times, as Amer emphasized: 鈥淲e are the fastest developer in Egypt for delivery for handover. So we deliver in two to two and a half years.鈥� He reiterated, 鈥淭hat still, we are the fastest developer to deliver in Egypt.鈥�
Community-centered destination
El Gouna continues to expand its community-focused amenities, including the G-Space co-working hub and the newly launched G-Valley business incubator. These spaces provide local entrepreneurs and remote workers with professional environments and resources.
In addition, El Gouna hosts cultural and sports events, such as the El Gouna Film Festival and the International Squash Open, further enriching the community experience.
Regional growth
Amer also discussed the impact of the Kingdom鈥檚 Red Sea investments, stating: 鈥淚 really like what鈥檚 happening on the Saudi side, and I think that it鈥檚 going to positively impact the entire region.鈥� He added, 鈥淭hey say 鈥榓 high tide lifts all the boats,鈥� you know, once Saudi comes in the game, big time, the pie is getting bigger, and we鈥檙e not competing together.鈥� Amer concluded, 鈥淪o the pie will get bigger, and I think that鈥檚 going to positively impact all the parties.鈥�