Ras El Hekma: Reshaping Tourism on Egypt’s North Coast

Ras El Hekma is one of the most ambitious projects currently underway in Egypt, emerging at a time of unprecedented development across the country. The vision here is to create a new iconic destination on the southern shores of the Mediterranean, along Egypt’s North Coast.

Planned at the scale of a city, the development is expected to accommodate a population of over one million people. Modon is the lead developer – specifically through Modon International Real Estate (MIRE) – with WATG’s Advisory team appointed to guide the development of the project’s hospitality assets.

The first phase places a strong emphasis on hospitality, which is why WATG has been brought on board, leveraging our extensive expertise in luxury hospitality and branded residential. This phase, known as Wadi Yemm, forms a resort town within the wider city framework.

The vision for Wadi Yemm is to capture the charm and character of a traditional Mediterranean town, reminiscent of the hidden coastal villages one might discover in the Algarve. It is one of 17 distinct precincts, each with its own unique identity, atmosphere, and purpose.

In total, Ras El Hekma will be home to nearly 30 new hotels; seven of which are in Wadi Yemm and are included in our initial scope of work. WATG Advisory was tasked with providing strategic guidance for the destination’s hospitality assets, with a focus on defining the concept, positioning, and brief for each asset.

The Advisory team has been providing market research, running financial feasibility, assisting with hotel selection and branding strategy – all whilst liaising closely with hotel operators and the design teams.

Of equal importance to this process was WATG’s breadth of experience in Egypt, enabling us to share valuable regional insights.

What truly sets this project apart is its unprecedented scale and the speed at which the program is moving. The level of ambition is significant, with every element conceived to a world-class standard – from the marina, golf courses and restaurants to the equestrian center.

Placemaking, via the definition of each precinct, has been central to shaping the first phase of this scheme. The number of components is vast, and each is expected to represent the very best in its class. Unlike many developments along the North Coast, which tend to prioritize residential offerings, this destination is driven by a more holistic, lifestyle-led vision.

Once complete, the project is set to transform tourism along Egypt’s North Coast. Currently, the area is predominantly a domestic destination, but the vision is to open it up to year-round international tourism. Supporting this ambition, a new airport is under development nearby, complemented by high-speed rail connections that will provide fast and direct access to Cairo.

We worked closely with a wide range of stakeholders, aligning diverse priorities while helping to shape compelling hospitality concepts that are finely tuned to future market demand. At the same time, we played a key role in maintaining a rational and pragmatic approach to MIRE’s capital expenditure and return-on-investment objectives.

To achieve this, WATG carefully balanced the needs of the end user, owner, and operator, ensuring that our recommendations are aligned with user expectations while being resilient and future-proof.

Operator appointments and hotel design are both progressing, with several properties already under construction. Modon recently announced the opening of Montage Ras El Hekma this summer, marking the first major milestone for the destination.

The project is already making headlines, with construction advancing across multiple hotels and strong early interest in the branded residences. The true success lies in the creation of a resilient place that delivers positive economic impact, creating significant employment opportunities, driving visitor footfall, and enriching the lives of everyone who lives, works, or visits Egypt’s North Coast.

The scale and ambition of this project exceed anything we have undertaken before, showcasing the full breadth of capability within the WATG Advisory team. It also represents a rare and valuable opportunity, allowing us to follow a project from initial concept through to hotel opening and to witness the tangible impact of our guidance and strategic advice.