John Pagano: Navigating Regeneration, Luxury, and Visionary Leadership at Red Sea Global
Few leaders in today’s global development landscape embody the intersection of strategic mastery, sustainability vision, and luxury destination creation quite like John Pagano, Group Chief Executive Officer of Red Sea Global — the Saudi Arabia-based developer behind some of the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism initiatives.
For more than four decades, Pagano has shaped environments and experiences that reflect long-term thinking, economic diversification, and responsible growth. His leadership at Red Sea Global, which began in 2018, has elevated him into the ranks of the region’s most influential executives — a distinction confirmed by his repeated inclusion on Forbes Middle East’s lists of top travel and tourism leaders.
From Global Experience to Regional Transformation
Before assuming the helm of Red Sea Global, Pagano’s career spanned continents and sectors. A graduate in mechanical engineering from the University of Toronto, he spent over 23 years at the renowned Canary Wharf Group in London, where he held senior executive roles, helping shape one of Europe’s most significant urban developments.
He also served as President of Baha Mar Development Company in the Bahamas — a transformative $3.6 billion resort project — and founded his own strategic advisory firm, Old Fort Capital Investments Ltd., offering counsel on large-scale property and infrastructure ventures.
This breadth of global experience laid a unique foundation for his leadership at Red Sea Global — an organization that sits at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy and its pivot toward sustainable luxury tourism.
Stewarding Regenerative Luxury
Under Pagano’s leadership, Red Sea Global has reimagined the potential of destination development. The company’s flagship projects — including The Red Sea, AMAALA, and the recently opened Thuwal Private Retreat — are designed around an ambitious concept: regenerative tourism that enhances rather than exploits the natural environment.
These destinations are not only about luxury hospitality but also stewardship and environmental accountability — aiming for net-zero operations by 2030 and a measurable conservation benefit by 2040.
Pagano’s vision is clear: place sustainability at the core of growth, proving that high-end tourism and ecological responsibility can advance together rather than in competition.
A Strategic Influence Beyond Red Sea Shores
Pagano’s impact has earned him recognition not only in tourism but also across real estate and infrastructure sectors. In 2025, Economy Middle East named him among 30 leaders shaping the region’s future of real estate, reinforcing his strategic influence across disciplines.
His contribution to the Kingdom’s ambitious growth agenda was further acknowledged in 2025 when he was granted Saudi citizenship — a rare honor reflecting his deep commitment to the country’s transformation vision. Pagano expressed gratitude for this privilege, speaking to his connection with the culture, people, and purpose of the region’s evolution.
Scaling Vision Internationally
Under Pagano’s direction, Red Sea Global is not only building world-class destinations along Saudi Arabia’s western coast — it is also exploring opportunities abroad. In recent strategic developments, the company launched plans for a luxury project in Italy, signaling a new phase of global expansion while maintaining its signature emphasis on sustainability and uniqueness.
This expansion aligns with Pagano’s broader philosophy: destination creation should be purposeful, respectful of heritage and ecosystems, and crafted with relentless attention to quality and experience.
Leadership Philosophy: Precision, Purpose, and Regenerative Impact
John Pagano’s career — marked by strategic depth across multiple markets and cultures — reflects an executive vision rooted in long-term value rather than short-term gain. His leadership at Red Sea Global demonstrates how disciplined execution, regenerative principles, and luxury destination development can converge into a new model for responsible tourism.
In an era where leadership is defined as much by impact as by growth, Pagano continues to chart a course that honors environmental integrity, economic diversification, and experiential excellence — not as separate priorities, but as integrated components of a future-focused strategy.
For a new generation of leaders looking to balance prestige with purpose, his journey offers a compelling blueprint: when vision is anchored in responsibility and execution is guided by innovation, the destinations you build — whether physical, corporate, or societal — can stand as legacies.
