Ecotourism and eco-lodging; an environmental sustainable approach for the Middle East | ||
| Journal of Urban Research | ||
| Article 8, Volume 16, Issue 1, April 2015, Pages 137-155 | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jur.2015.95162 | ||
| Author | ||
| Emad Reffat Mahmoud Awad | ||
| King Abdul Aziz University | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Ecotourism has become an important economic activity around the world. It provides opportunities for visitors to experience powerful manifestations of nature and culture, and to learn about the importance of biodiversity conservation and local cultures. At the same time, ecotourism generates income for conservation and economic benefits for communities living in adjacent areas. Ecotourism usually forges new relationships between people and both environment and peoples with different lifestyles. Permanent residents living in or adjacent to potential ecotourism destinations may desire to improve life opportunities for themselves and their children and may see ecotourism as generating jobs, stimulating incomes, diversifying economies, and enhancing standards of living. Ecotourism is often perceived as an excellent tool for promoting sustainable development in developing countries. Many view ecotourism as a viable way to protect the natural environment and create social and economic benefits for local communities. Regardless of the fact, ecotourism is not being properly planned and implemented in many instances; it has continued to gain popularity over the past two decades and has developed into a worldwide phenomenon that shows no signs of slowing down. Ecotourism is one of the most dynamic segments of the international travel industry. A growing number of ecotourists plan their holidays around authentic natural and cultural experiences, they are increasingly seeking accommodations, such as ecolodges, that reflect the main principles of ecotourism. This paper analysis the ecotourism opportunities and challenges that faces its expansion, moreover the paper demonstrates the ecolodge role in enhancing the ecotourism experience, examples like Adrer Amllal ecolodge in Siwa Oasis, Egypt, is analyzed as a successful example. The paper demonstrates the importance of ecotourism as a sustainable venue for development, and its under-estimated role, which can easily flourish the tourism industry, especially in the Middle East region, with its rich natural, heritage and cultural assets | ||
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