Holidays to Sharm el Sheikh to become eco-friendly

Holidays to Sharm el Sheikh 'to become eco-friendly'

The Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheikh aims to be carbon-neutral by 2020, according to a government official.

By Southall Travel -Thursday, February 04, 2010 05:45 PM

Holidays to Sharm el Sheikh to become eco-friendly

People booking flights to Egypt may be glad to hear that one of the country's most popular resorts intends to become carbon-neutral by 2020.

A senior government official announced that Sharm el Sheikh is aiming to dramatically cut its carbon emissions as part of a multi-million dollar project.

Hisham Zaazou, an official at the country's tourism ministry, said that it will have a positive impact on tourism in the region.

"Tourists will pick places that are environmentally friendly and [are] taking positive steps to reduce their carbon emissions," he explained.

As part of the initiative, six small schemes should be up and running by the end of this year, with plans to utilise wind and solar energy to provide the resort with power in the long term.

Earlier this month, research released by the Post Office Travel Money services revealed that holidaymakers heading to the country can expect to get more Egyptian pounds for their sterling this year due to fluctuating exchange rates.

The company also noted that sales of Egyptian pounds were up by nine per cent in 2009 compared with the previous year.

Written by Anthony Nicholson ADNFCR-1809-ID-19597954-ADNFCR