The southern end of the Sinai peninsula is the location of Sharm el Sheikh, a popular tourist destination along the Egyptian coast. Located in an area fronting the Red Sea. Sharm el Sheikh was formerly a commercial shipping port that was rehabilitated due to the introduction of strict environmental laws in the 1990s.
Today, one of the area’s revenue generating sector is foreign and domestic tourism. Also known as the “City of Peace,” many international meetings and peace conferences have been held at the world-renowned Maritim Sharm el Sheikh International Congress Center. In addition, it has become a favourite destination of the European tourism market due to its proximity to the region.
Sharm el Sheikh has 5 distinct centres: Nabq, Ras Nusrani, Na’ama Bay, Umm Sid and Sharm El Maya. Clear and calm waters replete with marine life, including thousands of coral and fish varieties, are distinctive attractions of some of these centres. Recreational and sports water activities are popular among out of town visitors, with scuba diving and snorkelling heading the list.
Na’ama Bay, a location lined with luxurious resorts and hotels, is located between the local airport and the Old City. Snorkelling and diving are popular activities here, where visitors can book boat tours to take them to the best diving spots for corals and fish. The number of resorts within the Na’ama Bay has increased due to the influx of visitors in the last couple of years. From 3 resorts to 91 in 2000, demand for accommodations increased more than ten times within the last decade.
Protected areas show the local commitment to preserving the endemic nature and wildlife of the area. Sharm el Sheikh has unique diving spots in the National Parks from the northern to the southern end of the coastline. Managed by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, the National Parks cover the terrestrial and marine area that extends towards Ras Mohammed, Tiran Island, Sharm el Sheikh harbour, and ends at the Nabq Resource Protected Area. Ras Mohammed, situated at the tip of the peninsula, has the best diving spots in Sharm el Sheikh, with its 800 meter deep reef walls and outstanding coral gardens.
The city’s calm and temperate climatic conditions allow year round diving and other water activities. The temperature hits the lowest at around February and peaks from June to August, during the summer months. The city, along with other coastal resort areas in the Red Sea, is situated in a region that is comparatively safe and calm for tourists.
Editor’s Note: This is a sponsored post.
Photo Credits: Pics by robert_hornung
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