FAQs
ECO EGYPT Experiences is a campaign that aims to reconnect adventurous travellers with Egypt’s countless ecological sites and protected areas. With the goal of prompting natural rediscovery and boosting the importance of ecological conservation, the ECO EGYPT Experiences campaign sheds light on all the wildlife, plant diversity, and natural landscapes on offer throughout Egypt. The campaign encourages sustainable, responsible tourism for travellers seeking unique, out-of-the-box experiences. By centering the voices, experiences, and customs of local tribespeople, from Nubians to Bedouins, ECO EGYPT advocates support for local livelihoods by giving a platform for the unique practices, traditions, and crafts of local communities. From camping to diving, stargazing to birdwatching, Egypt’s ecological sites promise unparalleled experiences for the curious, young and old. Get a taste of everything Egypt’s ecology has to offer and start planning your environmentally conscious, once-in-a-lifetime trip now!
Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education. Education is meant to be inclusive of both staff and guests.
Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement, participate in and market ecotourism activities should adopt the following ecotourism principles:
- Minimize physical, social, behavioural, and psychological impacts.
- Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
- Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
- Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
- Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry.
- Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climates.
- Design, construct and operate low-impact facilities.
- Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in your community and work in partnership with them to create empowerment. www.ecotourism.org
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) a protected area is a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated, and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. www.iucn.org
Currently, there are 30 Protected Areas in Egypt. Visit the Protected Areas Tab to find more.
The Global Ecotourism Network (GEN) defines ecotourism as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education. On the other hand, nature tourism can refer to any travel with a natural area or feature as a destination or focus.
Egypt has a multitude of authentic and diverse ecotourism products. Diving, snorkelling, and birdwatching are important ecotourism products because of the variety in terrestrial and marine species. Although, camping, hiking, and kayaking are also considered to be some of the most significant ecotourism products found in Egypt due to diversity in landscapes and ecosystems.
Many people are curious about what is meant by the word “ecolodge”. The word came into being in the 1990’s and was coined to describe a type of lodge that was distinguished from others by the way it was either constructed or operated, or both. Since then, there have been many different notions and strongly defended opinions of what constitutes the right to use the “eco” word.
As a result, the needed meaning in our context is that it is a hotel that follows the important rules to achieve the desired goals to preserve the environment. www.worldwideecolodges.com
Green Fins is a management approach for sustainable marine tourism activities operating in Southeast Asia, Caribbean and the Indian Ocean that works with business operators, communities, and governments. It helps to implement environmental standards for the diving and snorkeling industry through a code of conduct. Green Fins was founded by the United Nations Environmental Programme in cooperation with the Reef World Foundation.
Egypt was the first country in the African and Middle Eastern regions to adopt Green Fins as a means to help boost sustainable marine tourism activities and operations. In September 2019, Green Fins was implemented by the Chamber of Diving and Watersport (CDWS) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment (MoE).
For more information about the Green Fins program and current members in Egypt, please visit the link below: www.greenfins.net/news/egypt-launch
Dive and snorkel centers operating in active Green Fins locations can become members by signing the membership form and pledging to follow the 15 environmental practices of the Green Fins Code of Conduct in accordance with country specific instructions and guidelines. Active Green Fins members are then trained, assessed, and certified annually by qualified Green Fins Assessors, following the membership process outlined on the Green Fins platform. www.greenfins.net
The Green Star Hotel (GSH) is a national green certification and capacity-building program managed by the Egyptian Hotel Association (EHA) under the patronage of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The GSH program offers an opportunity for hotels operating in Egypt to be internationally recognized for raising their environmental performance and social standards while reducing their operational costs. https://www.greenstarhotel.org/
- Register your hotel with the (GSH) Program unit at (EHA)
- Providing information about your hotel
- Making an initial payment of certification fee
- Attend a training session delivered by certified GSH professionals
- Ensure that your hotel’s management and operations comply with the GSH program standards
- Avail your hotel to be audited by international GSH-certified auditors mandated to document compliance
- Receive ‘GSH Certificate’ of compliance with the GSH standards showing a star rating (3, 4 or 5 Stars) reflecting the level of compliance achieved. https://www.greenstarhotel.org/how-to-become-certified/
