The Red Sea Investors that comprise the private sector presence on the Red Sea Coast vary 

in terms of environmental awareness and concern. In the past, a HEPCA environmental 

coordinator brought together over a dozen hotel managers to discuss environmental 

concerns and to support HEPCA's environmental initiatives. Since 1996, a Hurghada 

General Managers' Roundtable has been formed, and the group has lobbied the Governor 

for garbage clean ups for better aesthetics. There is a renewed need for this coordination 

(the same coordinator still resides in Egypt and is a consultant for PSU) to gain support 

from the hotels, for instance for boats to maintain moorings and for other support. 

Coordination between the private sector at the Red Sea Coast and EEAA is 

mixed   good with some groups and minimal at best with others. 

The relationship between the private sector and EEAA rangers revolves 

mainly around the filing of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). 

Divers and tour boat operators interface with rangers primarily for 

purchasing tickets into the protected areas. Hence, a greater awareness of the 

rangers' conservation duties along with a rallying of the private sector 

around conservation programs is needed. 

Areas for Improvement: 

A lack of moorings in the southern Red Sea Coast presents a challenge and an 

opportunity. On the one hand, diving operators anchor illegally, according to some 

accounts, and on the other hand they would comply with mooring usage of mooring were 

present. 

Members of the private sector often voice concerns that they and their guests are not sure 

where the fees that they pay goes to, and how it is used. EEAA should educate both 

investors and visitors about the needs of the Protectorate and the ends to which user fees 

are used. This would also present to good opportunity for raising the environmental 

awareness of members of the private sector. 

An opportunity exists to utilize the private sector's presence on the reefs and beaches as a 

focal point of cooperation and coordination. Further efforts should be made (as is done 

through HEPCA) to increase the prevalence of dive guides and others in the field 

reporting incidents and violations of environmental law to the rangers. 

  13