Main area of focus in Caring for the Destination:  

Supporting protected areas and Heritage sites

Detailed description of the Caring for the Destination Initiative: 

Wadi El Hitan was listed as a World Heritage Site in Egypt by the UNESCO in 2005. This place preserves fossil skeletons of extinct whales which are the evidence of marine life millions of years ago.

There are also fossil skeletons of other early creatures including sharks, crocodiles, sawfish, turtles and rays found in the area, which makes it possible to know the environmental and ecological conditions of the time.

Thousands of visitors every year drive to Wadi El Hitan and sustainable tourism began to enlarge and develop there as the 4-wheel drives have been being replaced by camel treks or by walks.

In addition to exploring the fossils, Wadi El Hitan also protects 15 species of desert plants and 15 types of wild mammals.