Many times while sitting on some barren saudi beach on the Red Sea, I envisioned some enterprising Israeli or American outfit putting up a really great resort complex. It could make billions. Too bad the moslems are in charge.
Without question, the areas we were in while stationed there would be prime resort property. Remember the USGS camp way south of Jeddah? But you are right, as long as the muslims are in charge, some of the best diving in the world will go "undived"...