Ecotourism in Fayoum with a Social Dimension

Make Tourism Work for Sustainable Development

Description

The overall objective of the Project is to contribute to the poverty alleviation of Fayoum Governorate by creating employment and protecting the cultural and natural heritage. The specific objective is to develop the eco-tourism sector by

  • strengthening the relevant local institutions,
  • supporting the development of local SMEs and associations,
  • raising the awareness of the local population on eco-tourism and its advantages and
  • promoting Fayoum as eco-tourist destination on national and international markets.

In August 1999/2000, NSCE carried out the feasibility study “Traveling with Bedouin, Farmers and Fisherman. Eco-tourism for Sustainable Development in the Fayoum Oasis”, upon request of the Tourism Development Authority and Fayoum Governorate and funded by the Environmental Development Fund of the Cairo Royal Netherlands Embassy.

This study assessed the environmental and cultural potential of Fayoum area in order to identify the basic conditions of its future development. It also led up to a socio-economic analysis, an estimation of the existing infrastructures in the tourism field and an assessment of the potential development of the Governorate in the ecotourism sector, including the socio-economic benefits for the local population.

As a result, the study identified and presented to the attention of the local authorities six different complementary levels of intervention aiming at developing the tourism field, with a particular care for the eco-compatible approach. The first of these interventions “Eco Tourism with Social Dimension” – aiming at developing the local capabilities both in the public and the private sector – was implemented by CISS and NSCE, and funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The project aims at the establishment of an ecotourism development, marketing and coordination centre and at the set up of a business support centre that provides financial and non-financial support to ecotourism related entrepreneurs.

The specific target of the project is to strengthen the Egyptian Authorities, the associations and the private people in charge of the management, use and protection of the natural and cultural heritage of Fayoum, through an intervention composed by three main activities:

  • managers training;
  • promotion of the small and micro enterprise in tourism sector and local handicraft sector;
  • promotion of the local heritage to market the area as an attracting destination for the tourism streams (inside the country and abroad), in particular in the ecotourism sector.

Services

  • Institutional strengthening: Local managers training, Ecotourism training, Small and micro enterprise management training.
  • Small and micro enterprise promotion and development
    • Development of multifunctional center
    • Set up of Credit Support Fund for the development of the small and micro enterprise in tourism field
    • Young handicraftsmen training in the production field of baskets, pottery, carpets, clothing and traditional jewelry.
    • Outlets marketing and diversification for high quality handworks
    • Marketing campaign
  • Strengthen of the promotion for the cultural, environmental and local heritage
    • Development of local Ecotourism Information Center
    • Awareness Campaigns on Ecotourism
    • Development of Marketing Strategy
    • Visits and exchanges programme with the international tour operators to promote Fayoum as an international ecotourism destination.
    • Handicrafts Exhibitions