السياحة البيئية في ساحل العقير بالمملكة العربية السعودية: الواقع والمأمول

Abstract

Tourism industry has witnessed much of concern in the last decades due to its contribution to the economy of several countries. In this regard, The KSA paid much attention to this sector especially in its vision 2030. This study deals with the eco-tourism in Al-Ogeir area –Eastern Region-Saudi Arabia. The main objectives of the study are to identify the reality, obstacles, and the future of the tourism in the study area. To achieve its objectives, the study adopted a conceptual framework in context of different dimensions of eco-tourism. The study is based predominantly on fieldwork using questionnaire focusing on a random sample of (100) of Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University students, Department of Geography. Moreover, the study is based on secondary data from both published and unpublished sources. Furthermore, the study used the inductive approach and some quantitative techniques. The study showed that despite the attractive tourism ingredients in Al-Ogeir area, eco-tourism is far behind to achieve its objectives due to weak infrastructure, lack of services, environmental safety, and tourism awareness and guidance. The study has come out with that a comprehensive and appropriateplan should be adopted. Moreover, eco-tourism must be viewed from abroad perspective that constitutes environmental aspects, private investment, community partnership, training, and public facilities. This study will contribute to the ongoing debate on tourism and open rooms for further studies.