Nujuma Brings Saudi Craftsmanship to Its Red Sea Resort

Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, has partnered with Saudi non-profit Art of Heritage to bring traditional craftsmanship and cultural heritage into the guest experience at its Red Sea resort.

The partnership, launched during the celebrations surrounding Saudi National Day, will explore ways for Saudi craft and cultural knowledge to become part of life at Nujuma, with Art of Heritage bringing its expertise in traditional making, contemporary design and artisan-led practice to the resort.

Founded in 1990 under the AlNahda Association and independent since 2009, Art of Heritage works to preserve and evolve Saudi craftsmanship through collections, exhibitions, collaborations, workshops and cultural experiences. The organisation also holds an archive of more than 57,000 rare artefacts from across the Kingdom and the wider world.

At the heart of its work is the continuation of traditional knowledge through the people who practise it. Art of Heritage provides training and employment opportunities in traditional crafts, supporting women, youth and people of determination, while reinvesting proceeds into education and skills development.

“Heritage lives on through the people who practice it, and through the new connections their work makes possible,” HRH Princess Nourah Al Faisal Al Saud, CEO of Art of Heritage, told SceneTraveller. “Art of Heritage was born from a desire to preserve Saudi Arabia's traditions while giving artisans the freedom and support to reinterpret them for the present and future.”

For Nujuma, the collaboration adds another layer to a resort experience already centred on its surroundings. Set across the Red Sea, the resort comprises 65 beach and overwater villas, with architecture by Foster + Partners drawing inspiration from the forms of seashells and the surrounding marine landscape.

“We hope that a stay at Nujuma leaves guests with a deeper understanding of the place they are visiting. Art of Heritage makes that possible in the truest sense,” Dennis Sorensen, General Manager of Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, told SceneTraveller.

“Its work is not a reflection of Saudi culture; it is the culture itself, carried in the hands of the artisans who keep it alive,” Sorensen added. “Having it within the Reserve means guests meet the Kingdom as it truly is.”

The partnership reflects Nujuma's broader approach to connecting travel with the landscape and culture of the Red Sea. Guests can already explore the region's marine environment, stargaze, take part in nature-led wellness experiences and encounter culinary traditions rooted in the destination.

“The Art of Heritage brings this philosophy to life through a new expression of the stories, craftsmanship and cultural identity that have shaped this extraordinary part of the world,” Tony Coveney, Area General Manager, Marriott International, The Red Sea region, told SceneTraveller.