.
In a 2004 survey by the Support for Environmental Assessment and Management of Egypt, tourists visiting Egypt ranked coral reefs the most enjoyable part of their vacation. However, coral reefs and tourism are at conflict with another because Egypt economically relies on its coral reefs to attract tourists while tourists inadvertently damage reefs. Because Egypt’s economy is strongly supported by tourism, sustaining its coral reefs is necessary for further economic growth in Egypt.
Drawing snorkelers, divers, and general beach enthusiasts, the 1990s sparked nearly continuous tourism growth to Egypt’s coastal regions. Attracted by the Red Sea’s thriving coral reefs, the number of tourists visiting the remarkable coast tripled between 1995 and 2010; in 2010 more than 14 million international travelers visited Egypt’s Red Sea.
After 2010— the year before Egypt’s revolution removed President Hosni Mubarak from power— tourism to Egypt declined for several years. Now, revitalizing tourism serves as a major economic goal in Egypt. The nation’s reinvigorated focus on tourism, specifically tourism to its coastal regions, emerges at an appropriate time with violence in Egypt decreasing.
Egyptian Tourism Minister Khaled Ramy announced Egypt’s goal of attracting more than 20 million tourists by 2020. Assuming success, US$20 billion in revenue await the nation in 2020, alongside the predicted immense number of tourists.
To ensure the success of this ambitious goal, Egypt premiered a series of tourism ads in May, 2014. The country’s tourism marketing campaign—worth $40 million—targets individuals around the world, specifically those in Arab nations.
Impressively, the ad campaign increased tourism to Egypt. May, 2015 drew 23.1 percent more tourists from Arab nations than May, 2014. This significant growth reveals Egypt’s capability of meeting its 2020 tourism goal. Even before long-term implementation of the tourism ad campaign, during 2014, tourism contributed to 12.8 percent of Egypt’s total GDP and directly accounted for 1,322,500 jobs. This data exhibits tourism’s continued prominence in Egypt’s economy and job market.
Noting an increase of tourists visiting Egypt and expecting more in the future, Egypt’s government seeks to build two luxurious beachfront resorts—one on the Red Sea and another on the Mediterranean Coast. Both resorts await investors. The larger of the two, housed on the Red Sea, aspires to amass eight-million-square meters at a cost of more than $600 million. The other resort garners a $300 million price-tag and plans to utilize one-million-square-meters.
Bordering Egypt, the Red Sea’s coral reefs are globally renowned. The Red Sea distinguishes itself as of one of the best diving destinations in the world because of its prominent coral reefs and diverse aquamarine species; Egyptian reefs contain 200 of the Red Sea’s 300 coral species. The Red Sea’s clear, warm, and easily accessible waters further entice visitors.
Largely because they fuel tourism, coral reefs prevail as economically significant ecosystems. In terms of total economic value, which calculates the value of all the goods and services provided by an entity, coral reefs around the world enjoy monetary values between $205 million and $1800 million. Apart from environmental reasons, preserving coral reefs is essential from an economic standpoint; over the course of 25 years, one kilometer of destroyed coral reefs costs between $137,000 and $1,200,000.
Coral reefs improve tourists’ vacations, but tourists unintentionally damage coral reefs. This illustrates an adverse relationship. Beyond disrupting the ecosystem, degraded coral reefs threaten to dishevel Egypt’s economy. Considering tourism’s prominence in Egypt’s economy, lost tourism—a likely consequence of damaging coral reefs— would devastate Egypt’s financial well-being. Consequentially, practicing sustainable tourism is crucial for ensuring Egypt’s financial well-being.
Exhibiting a willingness to sustain Egypt’s coral reefs, 90 percent of Egypt’s dive centers bonded together to devise a code of ethics. Among other restrictions that ensure the protection of coral reefs during dives, their finalized regulations prohibit members from anchoring on coral reefs and using diving boats for fishing.
Furthermore, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which helps devise solutions for environmental challenges, strives to meet three objectives that relate to the sustainability of Egypt’s coral reefs. These objectives address the impacts of various activities— such as diving—on coral reefs, specifically those in Marsa Alam, Egypt; determine the vulnerability of marine tourism to climate change and devise adaptation options; and train local individuals to monitor and sustain coral reefs.
Adding to the expansive list of coral reef conservationists, the Red Sea Rangers—an organization that enforces rules set by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency—started protecting a notable portion of the Red Sea in 1999. Beyond enforcing regulations, the Rangers raise awareness about protecting coral reefs. Specifically concerning tourism, the Red Sea Rangers monitor tourist dive boats and maintain moorings.
Coral reefs support Egypt’s tourism sector. As exhibited, an array of organizations protect Egypt’s coral reefs, specifically those in the Red Sea. Sustaining these reefs proves essential for maintaining and heightening Egypt’s economic growth.
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
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Egypt, Tourism, and Coral Reefs
Hotels with Red Sea beaches in Hurghada
September 24, 2015
In a 2004 survey by the Support for Environmental Assessment and Management of Egypt, tourists visiting Egypt ranked coral reefs the most enjoyable part of their vacation. However, coral reefs and tourism are at conflict with another because Egypt economically relies on its coral reefs to attract tourists while tourists inadvertently damage reefs. Because Egypt’s economy is strongly supported by tourism, sustaining its coral reefs is necessary for further economic growth in Egypt.
Drawing snorkelers, divers, and general beach enthusiasts, the 1990s sparked nearly continuous tourism growth to Egypt’s coastal regions. Attracted by the Red Sea’s thriving coral reefs, the number of tourists visiting the remarkable coast tripled between 1995 and 2010; in 2010 more than 14 million international travelers visited Egypt’s Red Sea.
After 2010— the year before Egypt’s revolution removed President Hosni Mubarak from power— tourism to Egypt declined for several years. Now, revitalizing tourism serves as a major economic goal in Egypt. The nation’s reinvigorated focus on tourism, specifically tourism to its coastal regions, emerges at an appropriate time with violence in Egypt decreasing.
Egyptian Tourism Minister Khaled Ramy announced Egypt’s goal of attracting more than 20 million tourists by 2020. Assuming success, US$20 billion in revenue await the nation in 2020, alongside the predicted immense number of tourists.
To ensure the success of this ambitious goal, Egypt premiered a series of tourism ads in May, 2014. The country’s tourism marketing campaign—worth $40 million—targets individuals around the world, specifically those in Arab nations.
Impressively, the ad campaign increased tourism to Egypt. May, 2015 drew 23.1 percent more tourists from Arab nations than May, 2014. This significant growth reveals Egypt’s capability of meeting its 2020 tourism goal. Even before long-term implementation of the tourism ad campaign, during 2014, tourism contributed to 12.8 percent of Egypt’s total GDP and directly accounted for 1,322,500 jobs. This data exhibits tourism’s continued prominence in Egypt’s economy and job market.
Noting an increase of tourists visiting Egypt and expecting more in the future, Egypt’s government seeks to build two luxurious beachfront resorts—one on the Red Sea and another on the Mediterranean Coast. Both resorts await investors. The larger of the two, housed on the Red Sea, aspires to amass eight-million-square meters at a cost of more than $600 million. The other resort garners a $300 million price-tag and plans to utilize one-million-square-meters.
Bordering Egypt, the Red Sea’s coral reefs are globally renowned. The Red Sea distinguishes itself as of one of the best diving destinations in the world because of its prominent coral reefs and diverse aquamarine species; Egyptian reefs contain 200 of the Red Sea’s 300 coral species. The Red Sea’s clear, warm, and easily accessible waters further entice visitors.
Largely because they fuel tourism, coral reefs prevail as economically significant ecosystems. In terms of total economic value, which calculates the value of all the goods and services provided by an entity, coral reefs around the world enjoy monetary values between $205 million and $1800 million. Apart from environmental reasons, preserving coral reefs is essential from an economic standpoint; over the course of 25 years, one kilometer of destroyed coral reefs costs between $137,000 and $1,200,000.
Coral reefs improve tourists’ vacations, but tourists unintentionally damage coral reefs. This illustrates an adverse relationship. Beyond disrupting the ecosystem, degraded coral reefs threaten to dishevel Egypt’s economy. Considering tourism’s prominence in Egypt’s economy, lost tourism—a likely consequence of damaging coral reefs— would devastate Egypt’s financial well-being. Consequentially, practicing sustainable tourism is crucial for ensuring Egypt’s financial well-being.
Exhibiting a willingness to sustain Egypt’s coral reefs, 90 percent of Egypt’s dive centers bonded together to devise a code of ethics. Among other restrictions that ensure the protection of coral reefs during dives, their finalized regulations prohibit members from anchoring on coral reefs and using diving boats for fishing.
Furthermore, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which helps devise solutions for environmental challenges, strives to meet three objectives that relate to the sustainability of Egypt’s coral reefs. These objectives address the impacts of various activities— such as diving—on coral reefs, specifically those in Marsa Alam, Egypt; determine the vulnerability of marine tourism to climate change and devise adaptation options; and train local individuals to monitor and sustain coral reefs.
Adding to the expansive list of coral reef conservationists, the Red Sea Rangers—an organization that enforces rules set by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency—started protecting a notable portion of the Red Sea in 1999. Beyond enforcing regulations, the Rangers raise awareness about protecting coral reefs. Specifically concerning tourism, the Red Sea Rangers monitor tourist dive boats and maintain moorings.
Coral reefs support Egypt’s tourism sector. As exhibited, an array of organizations protect Egypt’s coral reefs, specifically those in the Red Sea. Sustaining these reefs proves essential for maintaining and heightening Egypt’s economic growth.
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
