Launch of Ras Mohamed Visitor Center; World-class Services Ready to Receive the National Park’s Visitors

November 26, 2018

H.E. Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, H.E. Dr. Rania AlMashat, Minister of Tourism, H.E. Major General Khaled Fouda, South Sinai Governor, Ms. Randa Aboul-Hosn, UNDP Country Director in Egypt and Mr. Mark Zimsky, Biodiversity Coordinator, Senior Biodiversity Specialist at the GEF, as well as Environment Ministers from the region, opened the new services at the national park. UNDP Egypt/Marc ElMankabady

At one of Egypt’s treasures and a place rated amongst the world’s best, the Ministry of Environment, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Sinai Protectorates, through “Egypt’s Protected Areas Self-Financing” Project officially launched Ras Mohamed National Park Visitor Center. Together, the partners opened the new services in the protected area for the visitors to be able to enjoy its beauty while preserving its unique natural resources.

H.E. Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, H.E. Dr. Rania AlMashat, Minister of Tourism, H.E. Major General Khaled Fouda, South Sinai Governor, Ms. Randa Aboul-Hosn, UNDP Country Director in Egypt and Mr. Mark Zimsky, Biodiversity Coordinator, Senior Biodiversity Specialist at the GEF, as well as Environment Ministers from the region, opened the new services at the national park.

The newly-launched services encompassed a visitor center which promotes the protected area through educational materials and provides visitors with needed information. The protected area’s facilities, natural areas of particular interest, access to dive sites and conditions for the use of campsites are among the available information for tourists. The partners have also toured the exhibition hall, saw the new tracks, the latest shades and interpretative signs that were completed at the protectorate. Moreover, an eco-friendly cafeteria has been opened to serve the visitors of Ras Mohammed.

At the launch event, Ms. Randa Aboul-Hosn welcomed the newly launched services which will promote ecotourism. She added that “we cannot work alone, it should be hand in hand with the local communities to help the public understand the importance of biodiversity for the next generations to come. Let’s work together to protect our planet.”

Ras Mohammed National Park is famous globally for the diversity and richness of its coral reefs, rated amongst the world's best, particularly amongst Scuba divers. It includes desert ecosystems as well as mangroves and is a central spot for migratory birds. The protectorate provides visitors with a unique experience which makes it a major touristic and recreational attraction.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Fatma Elzahraa Yassin

Communication Analyst

United Nations Development Programme

Fatma.yassin@undp.org