Sustainable Travel

Responsible Tourism is about "making better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit." Responsible Tourism requires that operators, hoteliers, governments, local people and tourists take responsibility, take action to make tourism more sustainable.

The World Travel Market has adopted the Cape Town Declaration definition of Responsible Tourism for its World Responsible Tourism Day, which encourages the industry to take responsibility for making tourism more sustainable and demonstrate their responsibility.

The Cape Town Declaration recognises that Responsible Tourism takes a variety of forms, it is characterized by travel and tourism which:

• Minimizes negative economic, environmental and social impacts;
• Generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry;
• Involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life changes;
• Makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, to the maintenance of the world's diversity;
• Provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues;
• Provide access for people with disabilities and the disadvantaged;
• Is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence.

Behavior can be more or less responsible and what is responsible in a particular place depends upon environment and culture.

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM IN EGYPT

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”

In light of this definition, it is sad to learn that responsible tourism in Egypt has some way to go.

In fact, Egypt is still struggling to endorse Responsible Tourism as a main factor of the whole industry, Which is simply seen in the irresponsible dolphin watching ,Nile pollution, the lack of cleanliness all over the country, the irresponsible treatment of animals specially Horses and Camels and the weak laws in regard to saving and protecting the historical sites.

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM ISSUES

Egypt tourism is focused on great ancient civilizations, heritage, people and culture and has undoubtedly had hugely positive impacts on its economy and local lifestyles, tourism income helping to sustain the country’s great ancient sites.
However, there are still many examples of irresponsible tourism in Egypt, from pollution to inequitable access to water, all-inclusive resorts to exclusive land use that displaces local people. Egypt is a land of great and ancient civilizations, and so it is the impact not just on the environment we need to take into account as responsible visitors, but also on the people whose lands we travel to admire and revere..

5 Tips to Practice Responsible Tourism

When you go on vacation, you know the first thing the folks at home will ask you when you get back is, “What did you bring me?”

Everyone loves a souvenir but when you’re ready to put down your dollars, euros, shillings or other currency, think twice about what you’re buying.

Avoid souvenirs made from ivory, exotic reptiles, turtle shells, tigers and other threatened species and exotic trees, which all need our protection. Don’t encourage the sale of wildlife products with your money.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has five tips all thoughtful tourists should remember on their adventures to exotic destinations:

1. Respect the Culture

- Avoid eating or touching food and water with your left hand in Hindu and Muslim societies.

- Ensure that you cover up appropriately when entering holy places.

- Understand and the difference qualifications and the standard evaluations of hotels, vehicles in Egypt as a developing country and your home country.

- Avoid public displays of intimacy.

- Respect the privacy of local people. Ask permission or advice before entering private dwellings or workplaces.

- Try and learn some basic words and phrases in the local language. Your effort will invariably be enthusiastically appreciated.

- Nearly all of us want to come back with some memorable photographs. You should always ask permission before taking photographs of people, holy places or rituals. Try to avoid using a flash when photographing paintings or textiles as this can cause damage to pigments.

2. Support the local economy

Our presence as an Egypt tour operator bringing tourists into our beloved homeland has a significant impact on Egypt. We have a great opportunity, and responsibility, to make sure that the money that we, and our guests, spend, goes to those who can benefit most from it. To this end we:

Use local operatives and organizations as much as possible in the daily running of our tours.

Encourage our clients to use the services of local people and organizations during their tour (eg. washing clothes).

Understand the important place that bargaining holds in local cultures and economies. We do discourage aggressive bargaining as what may seem a small amount to us that is fun to obtain through bargaining often makes a big difference to the vendor. However, not bargaining at all can also have detrimental effects on the local economy, as the extra money you pay invariably does not go to the local producer.

Respect the fact that tipping (and commission) is an integral part of a local economy and advise our clients accordingly.

When shopping for food, we aim to buy as much as possible from local vendors and markets, and to try to ensure that we are buying local produce.

Buy handicrafts made in the community, visit animal sanctuaries and wildlife rehabilitation centers and donate to local projects that protect habitats and biodiversity. Buying wildlife souvenirs made from rare or exotic species only enriches poachers and unscrupulous middlemen.

3. Natural Resources

The highlight of many of our tours is the Nile River or/ and the Red Sea. We aim to leave this environment and its ecology in the same state that we found it, if not better. We encourage this by:

- Ensuring minimal use of water where it is in short supply (see also water above).

- Making responsible choices of locations for toilet stops and washing (away from water sources).

- Making minimal use of firewood, especially in areas where this resource is in short supply.

- Avoiding buying souvenirs made from coral, ivory, rare animal hides, bones or shells. Also ancient pottery or other antique artefacts whose sale can encourage further looting of sites of immense local cultural and historical importance.

- Suggesting the buying of souvenirs from places such as official shops in National Parks that return funding to the running and preservation of such locations.

- Driving on only the recognised trails in National Parks. Also ensuring that our viewing of animals causes as little disruption to the park as possible.

4. Water

In many developing countries water is considered a precious resource that should never be wasted. It is also often the case that outside major cities the purity of tap water can be unreliable.

Egypt is suffering from water poverty.

Make sure to use water wisely in hotels, and do not waste it while taking a shower.

5. Local Laws

As a traveler you are expected to respect and obey the law of the country or countries in which you are travelling.

Local laws reflect the fact that Egypt is predominantly a conservative country. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs. This is especially important during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. Dress modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques, churches and markets.

Drinking alcohol in the street and anywhere other than a licensed restaurant or bar is not allowed and can lead to arrest.

Possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs is a serious offence and can, even for small amounts, lead to lengthy prison sentences (25 years), life imprisonment or the death penalty. Those sentenced to life imprisonment on drugs charges will normally spend the rest of their life in prison with no possibility of parole or pardon. Khat is illegal in Egypt.

Publicising strongly negative opinions about Egypt or making political comments, including about the President or security forces, can cause trouble with the authorities. In some cases, derogatory comments on social media have led to custodial sentences.

Professional photography or film equipment of any kind will require a permit. This includes photography umbrellas; artificial outdoor lighting gear, and any equipment that occupies or blocks public roads. It is forbidden to take or share photographs that can be perceived as damaging to the country’s image. Egyptian citizens can only be photographed after obtaining written permission from them. Do not photograph officials without their consent. Taking pictures of children is also prohibited.

Photography of, or near, military official installations is strictly prohibited. This includes the Suez Canal. There are sensitivities about taking photographs of Embassies, government buildings, churches and religious buildings, as well as infrastructure. British nationals have been arrested for photographing churches, electricity stations, train stations and bridges. If you are in any doubt seek permission before taking photographs. Do not use radio controlled helicopters or ‘drones’ to take photographs.

The import, production or use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) is banned in Egypt unless you have prior authorisation from the Egyptian Ministry of Defence. Citizens who use, manufacture or import drones without the appropriate authorisation will be punished by prison terms ranging from one to 7 years and/or fines ranging from EGP 5,000 to EGP 50,000. Do not bring knives or weapons into Egypt.

Although same-sex sexual activity is not explicitly criminalised in Egypt, the charge of “debauchery” has been used to prosecute LGBT people. The flying of a rainbow flag at a concert in September 2017 led to the arrest of at least 66 individuals on debauchery charges. There is little public acceptance of homosexuality in Egypt. Public expressions of homosexuality and/or public displays of affection between same-sex couples are likely to attract a high degree of unwelcome attention. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.

Be cautious about sharing content or having discussions of a sexual nature on social media, especially about sexual acts that are considered illegal. In some cases this has led to arrest and even custodial sentences.

The government does not interfere with the practice of Christianity but encouraging conversion to the Christian faith is illegal.

Egyptian family law is very different from UK law and particular caution is needed when, for example, child custody becomes an issue. The FCDO has published guidance for those affected by international parental child abduction, including options to consider and contact information for organisations which may be able to help.