Egypt tourism push puts pristine Red Sea beach at risk

RAS Hankorab Beach, a pristine spot on southern Egypt’s Red Sea coast with crystal clear waters and flat white sands, is the jewel of Egypt's Wadi el-Gemal National Park, home to one of the country’s last untouched marine ecosystems.

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Today, the beach, a 90-minute drive from Marsa Alam international airport, and a four-hour drive from the huge, fast-growing resort of Hurghada, is closed off by a wooden fence, and campaigners are battling to halt its development with, according to the original plans, dozens of accommodation huts, a restaurant and a farm.

Conservationists warn a fragile ecosystem supporting turtles, the coral reef, sea grasses and myriad species of fish is under threat and locals fear losing a precious natural resource forever. Fighting economic crisis, Egypt has been selling investment licenses in its national parks to developers in the hope of raising income. Projects vary in size and scope.

Tourism is one of the most important pillars of the Egyptian economy. A recent UN Tourism report estimated annual tourism revenue at $14.1 billion in 2024, more than double Suez Canal revenues.

With 17 million visitors in 2024, an annual increase of 17%, Egypt sees potential to boost numbers with more infrastructure, air connectivity and sustainable, coastal and desert-focused holidays. Turkey had 62 million tourists in 2024, Greece 35 million and Dubai 18.7 million.