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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