Red Sea Initiative Request for Information

Red Sea Endowment Request for Information no. 72026322R00002 USAID/Egypt is contemplating programming to support conservation in the South Red Sea, notably by promoting sustainable and community-based forms of tourism development. USAID/Egypt is seeking feedback on the notional lines of effort and questions outlined below. USAID/Egypt is NOT planning on providing any funding based on the responses received; USAID/Egypt is simply inviting those involved or interested in this concept to provide information no later than March 9, 2022 (17:00 local Cairo time) to the Contracting Officer, Martin Fischer (mfischer@usaid.gov) and the Contracting Specialists: Nehal Elkhatib (nelkhatib@usaid.gov) and Sandra Boulis (sboulis@usaid.gov). Overall Goals and potential means: The overall goal of the proposed programming would be to protect the unique ecosystem located in the southern Red Sea region (roughly defined as the coastal and littoral areas between Hurghada and Shalateen) through support for conservation initiatives undertaken by public, private, and nonprofit sectors in close coordination with local communities. To this end, USAID/Egypt is considering supporting the development of sustainable, nature-based tourism in this area that links revenues - including community livelihoods - to the conservation of natural resources, including coral reefs, marine life and ecosystems, and other unique attributes. USAID/Egypt is considering the following activities: - Support for an endowment fund to “crowd in” investment from other actors - including private companies, international organizations, government authorities, charitable organizations, and others - with an interest in developing tourism infrastructure supportive of conservation and sustainable development of the southern Red Sea region. - Support to national and government authorities on legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks concerning biodiversity and climate change, and the enforcement of existing laws and regulations. - Support for programming which ensures that tourism revenues fairly benefit local communities and that built infrastructure accounts for local needs and priorities as well as environmental considerations. Questions: Promotion of sustainable tourism - What, if any, are current impediments to investment in tourism infrastructure in the south Red Sea region? - What kinds of infrastructure (transport, dining, accommodation) is needed to attract high-value, low-impact tourism to this region? - What role should assurance, standards, and certifications play in the planning, development and management of tourism in this region, both at the firm level and at the destination level? - What additional interventions may be valuable (i.e. upskilling and training, policies and regulations, destination management/marketing) to increase the tourism offer and revenues? Conservation needs - What are the highest priority conservation needs in this area? To what extent are they supported by ongoing initiatives? - How can USAID support conservation in a way that will be sustainable after our investments have been made? - What laws, policies, and regulations are conducive to or support conservation practices in this region? - What enforcement mechanisms are in place to uphold existing regulations? Is there a need for additional support or measures to improve compliance with laws and regulations? Stakeholders - How can local communities lead conservation and/or tourism initiatives? - For would-be investors: what form of investment are you contemplating? What, if any, of the above interventions would facilitate your willingness/ability to invest? - Are there existing mechanisms, such as endowment funds or other types of permanent institutions, dedicated to addressing some or all of these issues? - What existing institutions/champions (public, private, or non-governmental) are important to consult and coordinate with in the potential efforts outlined above? Resources - USAID/Egypt is consulting a range of studies and assessments regarding the relationship between tourism, conservation, and sustainable development in this region, including the following: -Science, Diplomacy, and the Red Sea’s Unique Coral Reef: It’s Time for Action - LIFE Red Sea Project - Enhancing Sustainable Tourism in the Southern Red Sea Region Of Egypt - Sustainable Tourism along the Red Sea: Still Possible? - How Eco is Eco-Tourism? A Systematic Assessment of Resorts on the Red Sea, Egypt - Obstacles to Sustainable Tourism Development on the Red Sea Coast What additional resources should we consult?
Categories: Environment.