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Abstract
In 2020, the world population is expected to reach 7.5 billion; an increase of almost 25% compared to the current 6.1 billion. Continued Growth Domestic Product (GDP) growth is expected in all regions of the world, in a period characterized by globalization with rapid increases in international trade and cross border investment. Consumption and production are increasing. Major technological breakthroughs are expected, which will contribute to economic development worldwide. Economic, social and technology developments over the next few decades are likely to result in reductions of some pressures on the environment, but will increase others, sometimes significantly. As consequences, pressures on the environment have been high recently, but at the same time, there have been a number of environmental improvements.
According to the former, the Earth could be facing major environmental problems due to the different interferences of mankind through various developments and especially in the tourism sector. Although these developments are a must for new urban extensions, sustainable development should be achieved. This thesis is dedicated to the study of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as a tool for assessing different policies, plans or programmes proposed for development as to achieve the sustainable development, by reviewing SEA methodologies, and applications, with emphasis on tourism developments affects on the environment and where do SEA stands to date in different countries
The thesis’s case study is the SEA of the proposed Holiday Dreams Resort project site at Sidi Abd EI Rahman which is located in a largely pristine area of the Mediterranean coastal land suggested by Egyptian General Co. for Tourism and Hotels (EooTH). Like most virgin areas of this coast, the area is endowed with a variety of natural attractions which could play a major role in the development of a world class resort. EooTH has prepared an EIA report for the development project, but this kind of strategic plans need SEA not EIA to assure the sustainability measures.
By studying the SEA, a set of conclusions were highlighted as follows:
•The environment should be studied very carefully from the all related points to assure sustainability in different development projects;
• Sustainable tourism should be seen not as deciding how much environmental damage is worth accepting in return for economic benefits, but finding forms of tourism that bring quality of life benefits without undermining the environment;
•Man’s effects on nature should be very careful while developing certain areas;
• Main effects of tourism development on coastal areas are listed in the following
points:
coastal erosion resulting in narrow coasts;
the disappearance of naturaI habitats and land ecosystems or marine life;
over exploitation of freshwater and saline water intrusion in ground water;
degradation of wetlands;
pollution of surface and under ground water due to insufficient and inefficient or non existing waste water and solid wastes treatment systems.