Geographical assessment of the desert tourism elements in Halayeb and Shalateen area: an Environmental study

The study dealt with defining the concept of desert tourism, its importance and forms, and identifying the natural and human features of the study area. Then, the descriptive analytical approach was applied in studying and evaluating the most important elements of desert tourism attraction in the region, which included natural elements (location and spatial relationships, geological formations, surface features of the coastal plain, dry valleys, mountains, and climatic elements of temperature and relative humidity and applying Tom's coefficient for thermal discomfort, wind and rain, in addition to groundwater and the biological diversity that characterizes the region, and the impact of each of them on the localization of desert tourism activities in the region.
Then, it dealt with evaluating the human elements of desert tourism, which are no less important than the natural elements in providing an attractive tourist environment for tourists, which includes residents, transportation and communications services, infrastructure, health services and tourist facilities, in addition to the heritage and historical elements of desert tourism, in addition to the housing style, food, fashion and customs, folk arts and historical elements.
Then, the study dealt with estimating the relative importance of these elements and the extent of their contribution to the development of desert tourism and the study area. Based on the results of the analysis of the opinions of residents and tourists and the results of the SWOT analysis, which included an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the internal and external environmental elements affecting the components of desert tourism in the region.
 The study then concluded with a proposed future map for the development of desert tourism in the Halaib and Shalateen region in line with the results of the geographical assessment of the geographical components of desert tourism in the region, which included identifying the most important areas and attractions qualified for the development of desert tourism in the Halaib and Shalateen region, namely the Gebel Elba region, the Dieb region, the Abraq region, and Wadi Abu Saafa. Three safari and desert tourism paths were also proposed to ensure visiting and learning about the most prominent landmarks of desert tourism in the region. The study also reached many results and recommendations.