International Conference | Bari- Lecce, Italy Session III
INTEGRATING TOURISM WITH RURAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN EGYPT: CASE STUDY OF FAYOUM OASIS
Hagar M. Shalaby1, Aia Sherif 2 & Hasim Altan2
1 Faculty of Engineering, Architectural Department, Alexandria University, Egypt, Haidyyy @ gmail. com
2 Sustainable Design of the Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering & IT, British University in Dubai, Dubai, UAE 2014217022 @ student. buid. ac. ae / hasim. altan @ buid. ac. ae
Abstract
The Egyptian rural deteriorating conditions require careful, fundamental and creative solutions in order to improve the living conditions and to maintain the characteristics of local communities at the same time for future sustainable development of the region. Rural tourism or tourism in rural areas is a growing form of activity which can bring economic and social benefits to the society, and can be a tool for achieving a good level of sustainable development in the rural areas. Although rural tourism in its true form is relatively new in Egypt, the development of this is considered to be a necessary ingredient that can have a positive impact on the rural community improvement with less needed financial support. This paper represents the Fayoum Oasis as an example of a potential site / region that can be exploited for the purpose of sustainable development of poor rural settlements by adding a new product to the countryside depending on its variable characteristics from the natural environment, the landscape, the presence of traditional arts, and other local cultural products, such as food and other local cuisines. Although there will be some negative socio-cultural impacts of applying this new activity on the local communities, the potentials can be developed to achieve a sustainable development mostly for its social means by ensuring the continuity of its uniqueness and again by providing economic benefits to the society at the same time. The research is analysing the current situation of the rural tourism in Fayoum in order to formulate a set of goals and recommendations to achieve a successful sustainable rural tourism development.
Keywords
Fayoum Oasis, Rural Tourism, Rural Settlements, Sustainable Development, Egypt.
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