Assessing the sustainability of coastal tourism destinations in Egypt-the Red Sea Governorate as a case study

Abstract

Coastal tourism occupies a central position in the economy of Egypt's Red Sea Governorate. However, the pace and spatial pattern of its development have placed noticeable pressure on both local communities and the region’s fragile marine environment. This study evaluates the sustainability performance of 38 coastal tourism destinations using an integrated framework that encompasses environmental, economic, and social dimensions. An initial pool of 83 candidate indicators, drawn from a systematic review of international sustainability frameworks and refined through expert consultation, was reduced to a final set of 36 indicators. Data were sourced from official national statistics and strategic regional planning reports, and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to classify destinations by their composite sustainability performance. The findings reveal a notable spatial unevenness across the governorate. A small number of destinations, anchored by Hurghada, El Gouna, Safaga, and Marsa Alam, demonstrate relatively strong sustainability conditions, underpinned by established infrastructure and diversified services. Meanwhile, second-tier destinations record mixed performance, while the largest group, comprising the majority of coastal nodes and Bedouin settlements, remains characterized by limited sustainability driven by weak environmental governance, inadequate basic services, and structural economic marginalization. Drawing on these findings, the study proposes a territorially integrated policy framework to address the structural drivers of unsustainability and guide the governorate toward a more equitable, ecologically sound, and resilient model of coastal tourism development.