A Struggle for Survival: Egypt’s Red Sea Beaches Face Development Threats
In the serene waters of Wadi al-Gemal, Egypt, a hidden conflict is unfolding. This area, known for its pristine beaches and vibrant marine life, is now under threat from a controversial tourism project that could jeopardize one of the Red Sea’s last untouched natural wonders.
Wadi al-Gemal is home to endangered green turtles, which navigate through coral gardens recognized by marine biologists as some of the most resilient to climate change. During nesting season, these turtles emerge under the light of the Milky Way, undisturbed by artificial lights. However, this peaceful scene was disrupted in March when excavators arrived on the beach, sparking alarm among conservationists and local staff.
A petition titled “Save Hankorab” quickly gained traction, with thousands of people demanding action after learning about a secret contract between an unnamed government body and an investment company to build a resort. The environment ministry, which oversees the park, raised concerns, leading to the halt of construction and the removal of machinery. Despite this, parliamentary inquiries have not yielded answers, and insiders suggest the plans are still active.
Balancing Economic Growth and Environmental Protection
Mahmoud Hanafy, a marine biology professor and scientific adviser to the Red Sea governorate, emphasizes the need for sustainable tourism development. He warns that noise, artificial lights, and heavy human activity could devastate the ecosystem. Hankorab, located within Wadi al-Gemal National Park established in 2003, is considered one of the last undisturbed natural beaches along the Southern Red Sea coast.
Egypt, currently facing its worst economic crisis in decades, is turning to its extensive coastline as a potential revenue source. A $35-billion deal with the United Arab Emirates for the development of Ras al-Hekma on the Mediterranean set a precedent, followed by similar proposals for the Red Sea. In June, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi allocated 174,400 square kilometers of Red Sea land to the finance ministry to help reduce public debt.
Tourism remains the primary employer in the region, and Cairo aims to attract 30 million visitors by 2028. However, the UNDP warned as early as 2019 that Egyptian tourism growth had come at the expense of the environment. Since then, luxury resorts and gated communities have spread along hundreds of kilometers, displacing communities and damaging fragile habitats.
Legal Challenges and Uncertainty
At Hankorab, Hanafy highlights the legal issues surrounding the project. He claims that the company signed a contract with a government entity other than the one managing the reserve. If true, this would render the deal invalid. When construction was reported in March, MP Maha Abdel Nasser sought answers from the environment ministry and the prime minister but received no response.
During a subsequent meeting, officials were unable to identify the company behind the project or provide an environmental impact report. Although construction has been halted, there are no guarantees for the future. For now, the most visible change is a newly built gate marked "Ras Hankorab" in Latin letters. Entry now costs 300 Egyptian pounds ($6), five times more than before, with tickets that do not name the issuing authority.
An employee who started in March recalls that before the project, there were only a few umbrellas and unusable bathrooms. Today, there are new toilets, towels, and sun loungers, with a cafe and restaurant promised soon. Despite these changes, the legal and environmental uncertainty remains, leaving Hankorab's future—and the management of one of Egypt's last undisturbed Red Sea beaches—unresolved.
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