Pro-poor tourism in protected areas – opportunities and challenges: “The case of Fayoum, Egypt”

Abstract

Pro-poor tourism (PPT) improves the livelihoods of local communities in developing countries including Egypt. Fayoum, one of the poorest Egyptian governorates, has a variety of attractions, which can generate tremendous economic opportunities for local people. This paper aims to determine the barriers to (PPT) development in Fayoum and to examine how positive impacts can be improved. Quantitative approach is used to achieve the aims of the study. Questionnaire forms were collected from employees in governmental tourism industry and local people in Fayoum. The main findings of the study are as follows: there are several barriers to (PPT) development in Fayoum's protected areas, and the development of (PPT) in protected areas is positively affecting the livelihoods of local people in Fayoum.