IDEAS: Egypt's Green Destinations are Seizing on Ecotourism Opportunities
Key Points
- Egypt is advancing in sustainable tourism with towns like El-Qula’an and El Gouna leading the way.
- El Gouna, awarded for its sustainability, employs water desalination and local farming for eco-friendly tourism.
- El-Qula’an uses solar power and supports local craftsmen, attracting tourists while protecting the environment.
Summary
Egypt is making strides in sustainable tourism, with El-Qula’an and El Gouna at the forefront. El Gouna has received recognition for its eco-friendly initiatives, including water desalination and organic farming, while El-Qula’an emphasizes solar power and local craftsmanship to draw tourists and preserve its natural surroundings. According to Bain & Company, there is significant potential for growth, as many travelers value sustainability and are willing to pay more for eco-friendly options.
Egypt is making measurable progress in sustainable travel and tourism efforts, with two towns dedicated exclusively to sustainable travel. A recent report by Bain & Company highlights the small "eco-village" of El-Qula’an and the resort town of El Gouna as two locations within Egypt centered around environmental practices.
El Gouna, which received a UN-sponsored Global Green Town award in 2014, utilizes measures such as water desalination, a local wastewater treatment plant, an on-site organic farm, and “phase change” temperature regulation materials in all of its properties.
Meanwhile, the small Red Sea town of El-Qula’an has transformed into an “eco-village,” utilizing its solar power plant and market selling goods from craftsmen to foster tourism to its beaches while safeguarding the location’s natural environment and protecting its mangrove preserve.
Bain & Company's report says these measures are a strong start, but there is still more room to grow. Their survey indicated that two-thirds of leisure travelers to the Middle East and North Africa destinations believe sustainability is important or extremely important when traveling for leisure, and 66 percent are willing to pay more for those sustainable offerings.
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