Examining the extent to which stakeholder collaboration during ecotourism planning processes could be applied within an Egyptian context

Abstract

In Egypt, as in most developing countries, the relationship between the environment and development remains very unbalanced because of tensions between, and among, all relevant stakeholder groups. These unbalanced relationships are circular and are unlikely to be resolved without more effective collaboration between the relevant stakeholders. The purpose of this paper is examine the extent to which greater stakeholder collaboration during ecotourism planning processes could be applied in practice. Based on two Egyptian ecotourism case studies our analysis suggests that any stakeholder involvement has tended towards a consultative rather than collaborative approach. Developing any mutual understanding, by listening to stakeholder views and interests, in order to build a consensus between the stakeholder groups was not achieved. Nevertheless, more, effective stakeholder participation during the process could be enabled, and a move towards greater collaboration between and among the stakeholder groups, could be realised if the identified gaps in operationalising stakeholder engagement were mitigated.