Sustainable community Ecotourism in and around Wadi El Gemal
Under the Egyptian Red Sea Initiative (ERSI), this solution focuses on developing a community-based ecotourism model in Wadi El Gemal that builds on existing partnerships between local communities and private sector operators.
The area is known for its natural landscapes and biodiversity, and already attracts visitors through existing sites and basic visitor facilities, where day tourism activities take place.
This solution supports the development of alternative tourism experiences, building on existing tourism activity while introducing alternative experiences, including desert and cultural tourism, that are less dependent on reef use. The approach is designed to guide tourism growth toward lower-impact models by prioritizing experiences that do not rely on intensive reef use, while strengthening local participation and benefit-sharing. Planned activities include the development of ecotourism concession sites, community-led services, and new tourism products linked to the protected area.
By guiding tourism development toward lower-impact models and increasing local economic benefits, the solution aims to reduce future pressure on Egypt’s Red Sea coral reefs and strengthen community incentives for conservation.
