Egypt reviews 41 ecotourism investment opportunities in Nabq Nature Reserve

Egypt is reviewing around 41 investment opportunities in the Nabq Nature Reserve in South Sinai as part of plans to expand ecotourism while preserving the area’s biodiversity and natural resources, the Ministry of Environment said. Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad reviewed an executive and investment plan for the reserve, alongside the outcomes of the “Green Sharm” project and the infrastructure requirements that must be completed before the projects are offered to investors, according to a ministry statement. The proposed investment opportunities include eco-lodges, sustainable accommodation units, camping sites, educational and cultural experiences, community-based tourism activities, and environmental adventure tourism. The ministry said some projects could be implemented by private investors, while others may be developed in partnership with local communities. The proposals also include coastal and mountain eco-lodges, service points, and visitor facilities, with all projects subject to strict environmental standards designed to protect the reserve’s ecosystems. Awad instructed officials to prepare a comprehensive infrastructure plan before launching the investment opportunities. The proposed measures include establishing car parks outside the reserve, introducing electric transport within the protected area, installing environmental monitoring systems and surveillance cameras, and developing an integrated waste management system. She stressed that investors should be selected based on their environmental awareness and ability to implement sustainability standards, adding that the economic utilisation of protected areas must not come at the expense of their natural assets. The meeting also reviewed waste management systems in the Nabq, Abu Galum, and Ras Mohammed nature reserves, including waste bins, collection mechanisms, and sustainable operating and maintenance models. Awad called for improving waste management systems at marinas and marine moorings to reduce marine pollution and protect coral reefs, marine ecosystems, and water quality. She also instructed officials to contract a specialised company to install and maintain marine mooring buoys used by tourist vessels, aiming to prevent uncontrolled anchoring and minimise damage to coral reefs. According to the ministry, the plan forms part of broader efforts to position Egypt’s protected areas as internationally recognised ecotourism destinations while encouraging environmentally responsible investment and sustainable development.The post Egypt reviews 41 ecotourism investment opportunities in Nabq Nature Reserve first appeared on Dailynewsegypt.