It boasts highly diverse coral reefs and a mild, dry climate year-round. Until recently, land-based activities on the coast have been limited to sporadic towns and nomadic communities with simple infrastructure, widely separated cities, and well-developed tourism limited to the Gulf of Aquaba.

Rapid tourism development is coming to much of the Red Sea coast with profound consequences for the environment unless development is well-planned and managed.

Research and planning undertaken by the Living Coast initiative provides agencies, funders, and other decision makers with information needed to preserve the region’s ecological and cultural values while accommodating sustainable levels of economic growth.