RIYADH: Coastal towns across the Middle East are experiencing a remarkable transformation, shifting from seasonal vacation destinations to lively, year-round communities.

The surge in remote work has encouraged many professionals to move to these coastal areas, sparking a heightened demand for diverse amenities and housing options. Consequently, these towns are evolving to cater to a more varied population.

This shift has been observed firsthand by industry experts. They note that towns that were once seasonal are now attracting year-round residents with diverse lifestyles. “The distinction between a primary home and a secondary home has essentially disappeared,” one expert stated in an interview with Arab News.

“Today, all our towns are populated almost year-round by people who choose to live and work here due to the acceptance of remote work,” added another expert.

Orascom Development Holding is leading the charge in transforming its coastal properties into communities where residents can live and work. The company’s investments in infrastructure will support business, education, and wellness initiatives across seven countries, including 11 destinations like Egypt’s modern resort town, El Gouna.

Covering 36.9 million sq. meters, 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.

The transformation of El Gouna into a diverse international community was further emphasized: “Almost half of our buyers are people who don’t live in Egypt, including many Europeans and an increasing number from the GCC.”

El Gouna’s appeal is linked to its robust facilities, including high-speed internet, reliable infrastructure, and access to educational and medical services.

El Gouna now boasts luxury residences, commercial zones, and co-working spaces, creating an integrated community rather than a traditional single-purpose resort.

Tuban, a newly launched multipurpose district within El Gouna, spans nearly a million square meters and features residential areas, commercial zones, marinas, and the region’s first upscale senior living community.

The CEO of El Gouna explained that Tuban “is going to be 1 million (sq. meters) right in the heart of El Gouna, and what’s new about Tuban is that it’s very much multi-discipline.”

“So there is residential, there is commercial, there is marina, and there is hospitality,” he added.

Future residents of El Gouna’s Tuban district can expect short wait times, as the CEO emphasized: “We are the fastest developer in Egypt for delivery for handover. So we deliver in two to two and a half years.”

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.

The CEO also discussed the impact of the Kingdom’s Red Sea investments, stating: “I really like what’s happening on the Saudi side, and I think that it’s going to positively impact the entire region.” He added, “They say ‘a high tide lifts all the boats,’ you know, once Saudi comes in the game, big time, the pie is getting bigger, and we’re not competing together.” He concluded, “So the pie will get bigger, and I think that’s going to positively impact all the parties.”

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