Towards Best Tourism Practices for Responsible Dolphin Watching in Red Sea

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Lecturer, Tourism Studies Department, Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, Helwan University

Abstract

Egypt, especially the Red Sea, provides an ideal example of dolphin watching tourism. In Egypt, many areas involve a tourist center for dolphin watching tourism. This study aims to develop a blueprint to accomplish, in a responsible manner, the growth of this activity without harming dolphins in their natural environment and keeps them as a tourist resource. This attitude leads to achieve the benefits of dolphin watching tourism and reduce challenges.  Qualitative approach was used to collect data through interviews with scuba diving instructors working in diving centers in the Red Sea. According to Egyptian Chamber of Diving and Water Sports (CDWS), there are 261 registered diving centers. A total of 30 diving centers, more than 10% of the whole population, have been interviewed. Dolphin watching areas should be permanently designated in Egypt. Therefore, an appropriate plan must be developed for their management, organization and marketing. Moreover, increasing awareness of marine environment in general and behavior pattern of dolphin in particular is intensively recommended.

Keywords

Journal of Association of Arab Universities for Tourism and Hospitality
Volume 21, Issue 1
December 2021
Pages 34-48

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