Your talking points

Oryx in Dunes of Sesriem Namibia. (Unsplash, Fabiana Rizzi)

Tourism is already central to economies across the region, but its long-term value depends on protecting the natural assets that give destinations their identity.

There are strong examples in MENA (Oman’s Salalah and Jordan’s Dana Reserve) where conservation has enhanced tourism; the challenge that remains is how to scale this approach.

Projects such as Red Sea Global show that high standards are possible, but too often biodiversity is treated as a marketing claim rather than a real strategy.

Beyond the Points

Tourism as an Economic Pillar

For countries in the region like Egypt, Morocco, and the UAE, tourism has long been a lifeline and a key driver of economic growth. Egypt’s Red Sea resorts have sustained millions of jobs for decades, and local communities deeply depend on them. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has set a similar goal, with tourism positioned as one of the cornerstones of economic diversification. And the UAE, especially Dubai, has built a global brand by weaving tourism into the core of its identity.

The global tourism sector is now recovering at a pace few anticipated, with the Middle East out front as the only region to exceed pre-pandemic levels, recording 22% more arrivals in 2024 than in 2019. Billions of dollars are being invested into giga-projects, new resorts, cultural districts, and infrastructure to attract global tourists, with increasing competition for visitors across the region. The question is no longer whether tourism will drive growth, but whether that growth will last.

Notably, many fossil fuel–based economies in the region are now placing biodiversity preservation and promotion at the center of tourism strategies. The ability to grow and diversify their tourism offerings depends on protecting the underlying assets that make the region unique: its reefs, deserts, mountains, oases, and wildlife. These fragile ecosystems give destinations character, resilience, and economic value — and if they are lost, the appeal of tourism itself will erode.

Conservation that Works

Wadi Darbat, Salalah, Oman in the Monsoon (Khareef) season (Flickr, Wajahat Mahmood)

There are examples across the region that demonstrate how conservation can anchor tourism. In Oman, Salalah’s Khareef monsoon season transforms the landscape into a lush destination, drawing visitors (over 1 million between June and September of last year) who come precisely because of the biodiversity shift. Jordan’s Dana Biosphere Reserve is where four distinct biogeographies come together, making it the most biodiverse site in the country. It links conservation with community livelihoods, showing that ecotourism can be both inclusive and profitable. Visitors often say that Dana’s appeal lies not only in the landscape but in the way local guides share stories of the land — the human connection matters just as much. These cases show that preserving nature doesn’t have to be charity; it can also be smart economics.

Investing in biodiversity can also be profitable. According to the World Resources Institute, an investment of just $1 in restoring degraded land can yield $7–$30 in economic benefits — from higher food production and carbon capture to improved water quality and resilience against climate shocks. By contrast, deforestation and land degradation costs the global economy an estimated $6.3 trillion each year in lost ecosystem services such as agriculture, recreation, and clean air, equivalent to 8.3% of global GDP in 2016. These losses also directly undermine tourism by jeopardizing the natural and cultural landscapes that attract visitors. For MENA governments, this makes biodiversity a powerful economic multiplier, not a side issue.

Tourism projects in the region are making strides in sustainability, with solar panels and plastic reduction now common features. But stronger impact comes from making biodiversity part of core planning — from choosing hotel sites that don’t disrupt migratory routes or habitats, to tackling food and water waste, and developing coastlines in ways that safeguard their long-term vitality while still welcoming visitors.

Opportunities Ahead

Rising demand for authentic, sustainable travel gives MENA destinations a chance to stand out.

Connecting biodiversity with heritage, food, and community livelihoods can create distinctive, higher-value experiences.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, in 2023 coastal and marine tourism contributed US$1.5 trillion in direct value and sustained 52 million jobs worldwide. It represented about half of all global tourist spending and generated US$820 billion in direct tax revenues; a clear signal of how closely tourism value depends on natural assets.

Investors and operators increasingly back destinations that can show they are protecting natural assets; biodiversity-focused tourism can open new funding and growth opportunities.
Working with local communities and conservation partners builds compelling stories that resonate with visitors and deepen the overall experience.

Making Leadership Credible

Some projects are setting a higher benchmark. Red Sea Global, for example, has made biodiversity and ecotourism central to its design, working with conservationists to ensure development aligns with international standards. These efforts are encouraging and show that rapid growth and strong environmental performance are not mutually exclusive. Its approach offers a potential blueprint for how tourism growth in the region can also strengthen natural ecosystems. The challenge now is ensuring that this level of ambition becomes widespread rather than the exception.

This will require governments to embed biodiversity into environmental assessments, planning approvals, and financing criteria. It means tourism revenues should flow back into conservation funds and community programs, so that benefits are shared. It also calls for stronger partnerships with NGOs, local communities, and scientists who bring knowledge that developers alone cannot.

Equally important is the story told to visitors. Celebrating native species, migratory corridors, and cultural traditions tied to the land can deepen the tourist experience while reinforcing the case for preservation. Tourists are increasingly conscious of where their money goes, and destinations that can demonstrate real ecological stewardship will stand out in a crowded market. According to Booking.com’s Sustainable Tourism Report 2024, 75% of travelers worldwide say they want to travel more sustainably in the coming year, creating strong demand for destinations that can prove their environmental credentials.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf states have placed environmental leadership at the center of their international positioning, hosting global climate and biodiversity conferences. Domestic tourism projects must reflect the same standards. Done right, biodiversity-centered tourism can give the region not only economic returns but also diplomatic weight as a global player in the green economy.

The relationship between development and conservation is not a zero-sum game. The region can continue advancing its economic goals while protecting the environment, with sustainability offering the surest path to long-term resilience and growth. However, taking this direction is not easy. It demands coordination, investment, and at times restraint. Yet the reward is lasting economies that can weather shocks, destinations that stand out, and a legacy that protects what makes this region unique. Biodiversity should be treated as core infrastructure for tourism, enriching cultural, culinary, and leisure experiences that draw visitors back while enabling them to connect with the region’s natural richness.

Tourism and Biodiversity: Unlocking Value in the MENA Green Economy