¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ

The Middle East and North Africa region is home to many glorious natural wonders, bringing in appreciative and adventurous tourists from around the world. From the tapestry of powdery and expansive deserts once home to ancient civilizations and the breathtaking vistas of the Red Sea and its coastal rivieras to its verdant gardens, mystical cedar forests and spellbinding marine treasures, MENA’s collection of natural wonders is awe-inspiring.
Such fragile and precious sites, however, are interlinked with the volatile and unpredictable shifts in climate change, making them subject to many risks, including extreme heat, pollution, water scarcity, loss of biodiversity and flooding. It is vital that regional governments explore ambitious actions toward ensuring a more sustainable tourism pathway.
The Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024, published by the World Economic Forum, states that the MENA region accounts for 9.5 percent of global international tourist arrivals, with tourism contributing about 6.7 percent of the region’s gross domestic product and 4.6 percent of its travel and tourism employment. Projections indicate a whopping 7.7 percent annual growth rate for the industry through 2032 — triple the pace of its overall economic growth. While this surge presents many favorable economic opportunities, it also poses notable environmental concerns that must be addressed preemptively.
By imagining a more sustainable tourism sector for the region, policymakers can create a roadmap that will both bolster its global competitiveness and ensure the sustainable protection of its natural assets. Sustainable tourism policies are critical for the MENA region due to the duality of its unique environmental challenges, in tandem with the growing demand for tourism. As its natural wonders are fragile and have a cherished place in local communities’ sentiments, it is vital that policies protect them and minimize any environmental degradation.
Sustainable tourism can be enabled by the adoption of a multitude of diverse policies. Centrally, it is advisable to establish a specialized unit mandated with devising an ambitious and results-oriented sustainable tourism policy that complements the country’s overall tourism planning efforts, in collaboration with local, regional and global stakeholders. This unit should also undertake research and monitoring activities to craft guidelines, programs and regulations to deliver its strategic goals. Leveraging innovative technologies, especially those powered by artificial intelligence, can help policymakers optimize the efficiency of resources while harnessing data-driven insights to design responsive solutions.
It is vital to issue comprehensive guidelines for the many tourism industry players on how to conduct their businesses and operations sustainably. For instance, such guidelines could elaborate on how to build eco-friendly infrastructure, such as energy-efficient accommodation, renewable energy systems, solar-powered facilities and efficient water management systems, in order to reduce the carbon footprint of tourism. Additionally, encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles and low-carbon public transport options is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Plastic is a major environmental concern due to its slow decomposition and harmful impact on ecosystems, especially in the tourism sector, in which single-use plastics are commonly used. Reducing plastic waste is essential for preserving natural attractions and promoting sustainable tourism practices. As such, global efforts to address this — such as the UN’s Global Tourism Plastics Initiative — can inspire regional standards for environmental stewardship.

Sustainable tourism policies are critical for the region due to the duality of its unique environmental challenges.

Sara Al-Mulla

A great example of this is the set of sustainable tourism guidelines published by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, encompassing culture and heritage sites, sustainable major events, food and beverages, hotel establishments, leisure and entertainment attractions, and travel agencies and tour operators. The guidelines help the relevant stakeholders optimize their operations in terms of energy efficiency, water and waste management, green transportation, the sourcing of local and sustainable goods and the protection of natural habitats, as well as rolling out awareness campaigns to local communities, younger audiences and tourists about their active roles in making environmentally friendly decisions.
To ensure the preservation of fragile ecosystems in the MENA region, strict regulations should be enforced to protect natural sites from environmental damage or the many negative impacts of tourism. Establishing conservation zones and regulating visitor numbers can help maintain the delicate balance between tourism and environmental sustainability. For example, the UAE’s Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment outlines measures for environmental protection, including regulating pollution, conserving natural resources and ensuring sustainable development, with specific provisions for safeguarding water, air and soil quality and marine life.
Many international airports in MENA cities are now adopting sustainability practices and Bahrain International Airport is a good example, having become the world’s first airport to receive the International Air Transport Association’s Environmental Assessment Certification last November.
The Red Sea Project, on ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s west coast, has been envisioned as a regenerative tourism paradise. By 2030, the area will boast 50 hotels and more than 1,000 residential properties, spread across 22 islands and six inland havens, all managed by world-class hospitality brands. To ensure a delicate balance with nature, visitors will be capped at 1 million each year, meaning that the Red Sea’s pristine beauty will remain preserved for generations to come.
With the overall sustainability theme in mind, even the Red Sea International Airport, scheduled to fully open in 2025, will be entirely powered by renewable energy. The Red Sea Project also prioritizes the conservation of both marine and terrestrial biodiversity, with marine biologists and environmental specialists working to monitor and safeguard coral reefs, mangroves and marine species.
Sustainability is integrally influenced by people. Thus, reinforcing the importance of sustainability among local communities, workforces and tourists — via school programs and educational campaigns — will pave the way for the implementation of positive changes in behavior, fostering a culture of responsible tourism.
As we look forward, sustainability offers a unique opportunity for regional governments to ensure the long-term success of the tourism sector, embracing its dynamism while preserving the region’s natural beauty.

• Sara Al-Mulla is an Emirati civil servant with an interest in human development policy and children’s literature. She can be contacted at www.amorelicious.com.