Exploring the Potential for Geosites Development In Egypt: A Case Study Of Wadi Degla Protected Area

Kamel, Maha Yehia; Wafik, Ghada M.; Hassan, Suzan Bakri

doi:10.21608/ijthm.2022.239664

Exploring the Potential for Geosites Development In Egypt: A Case Study Of Wadi Degla Protected Area

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Fayoum University, Egypt

10.21608/ijthm.2022.239664

Abstract

The main aim of this research is to explore the potential for geosites development in Egypt, in particularly Wadi Degla Protected Area. A case study approach was applied to reach the research objectives. This research is based on a mixed approach to obtain adequate information for achieving the research aims; two stages were considered to be the most appropriate form of data collection instruments, multiple sources of data collections, including questionnaire and direct observation to gather a mix of quantitative and qualitative data. Two types of sampling used in this research including; a convenience sample for official staff and snowballing sampling for experts. The total number of distributed questionnaires was 250 copies. The final returned questionnaires were 190 copies with 76% response rate. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 25) program was used for analysing data. The results showed that Wadi Degla Protected Area is characterized by geological diversity, it has a unique ecosystem. It noted that there are many activities that are practiced in the protected area as follows: mountain climbing; cycling running; bird watching; barbecue and camping. The results revealed that there is a shop and place for selling souvenirs to the visitors. This study contributed to the theory by increasing the literature review and researches related to geotourism sites in Egypt in particularly Wadi Degla Protected Area. The current study has some limitations which including; firstly, this research focused on one case study of Wadi Degla Protected Area. Secondly, the literature showed there had been clear lack of prior research studies on geotourism sites in Egypt. Future research should address more geosites in Egypt; it also should undertake to test the findings of this research.

Keywords