While major coastal developments such as NEOM and Red Sea Global in Saudi Arabia have offered a flavour of the high-end travel opportunities in the Middle East, the stunning coastlines and waterways of the wider region remain largely untapped.
Water transport is increasingly being recognised as an immersive and eco-conscious guest experience, but the current generation of transport vessels fail to meet the expectations of luxury travellers. Conventional diesel-powered boats lack comfort, exclusivity and environmentally friendly credentials. Fully electric foiling vessels are offering a viable alternative to the sector.
ACCESSING MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
Luxury resort operators in the Middle East have significant revenue-making opportunities in their sights. The luxury tourism market in the region was worth as much as $53 billion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5 per cent expected until 2030.
But diesel-powered vessels do little to reflect the innovation offered by new resorts in the region, such as boutique hotels and island excursions. Additionally, these modes of transport fall short in their environmental credentials. According to Euromonitor, over a third (38 per cent) of luxury seekers are happy to spend between 30 per cent and 50 per cent more for sustainable travel, such as energy-efficient services, leading to lost revenue opportunities for operators.
Electric-foiling vessels, such as the Artemis EF-12 Escape, offer the opportunity for environmentally friendly water transport that doesn’t compromise on luxury. Creating no water or air pollution in operation, travellers gain peace-of-mind about the boat’s sustainable credentials. Additionally, any fears among operators about lengthy charging times between trips can be allayed. In less than 60 minutes, these vessels can be fully charged for seamless upcoming journeys. These innovative boats also require minimal servicing when compared with their diesel counterparts. They therefore experience fewer incidences of downtime, providing an operational return on investment by remaining available for continuous trips.
NO COMPROMISE IN LUXURY
Alongside the sustainable benefits, electric-foiling vessels are capable of reaching 30 knots and a range of up to 52 nautical miles, maintaining an optimum experience for passengers. The electric foiling technology also delivers a luxury experience in other ways. It lifts the boat out of the water to provide passengers with a smooth journey. Minimal wake enables swifter transit through busy areas of the water, producing less disturbance to boats at anchor and helping to protect sensitive shorelines and coral life.
Electric foiling boats offer a level of bespoke craftsmanship that luxury travellers would expect. Spacious and elegant interiors, with excellent views, can transform wildlife viewing or shoreline tours. A seamless gallery is discreetly integrated with excellent crew access, while maintaining effective separation from guests. With travellers looking for unique luxury experiences, these boats offer exclusivity while maintaining premium levels of comfort.
REDEFINING WATER TRAVEL
By embracing electric-foiling vessels, the Middle East’s luxury market has the opportunity to redefine water travel. These cutting-edge boats combine sustainability with high-end comfort, aligning with the expectations of modern luxury travellers, all while supporting the region’s eco-conscious ambitions. With significant revenue potential and growing consumer demand for sustainable travel, resort operators and tour providers have a chance to set new standards in exclusive, environmentally friendly experiences.
* Iain Percy is Chief Executive Officer of Artemis Technologies