Sustainable development of ecotourism and its relation to architecture : case study : Ai-Baha city, The Emirate of Al-Baha

Abstract EN

Tourism is a key factor for change and tourism functions as a catalyst for the transition from traditional ways of life to the so-called modern forms of society.

Accordingly, tourism often brings with it new trends and behavioural standards.

Especially in third-world countries, these influences can be different due to many factors, including the type and size of the tourism project, the number of visitors and the nature of the destinations.

Ecotourism is, in response, a natural tourism that contributes to conservation by generating funds for protected areas and creating jobs for the local communities that it affects.

There is a relationship between architecture, land and tourism, which forms the basis of new urban landscapes that is driven by the phenomenon of tourism can affect urbanisation processes and how they are perceived, leading to the use of renewable urban spaces that help to change forms of social aggregation.

Therefore, urban tourism studies are very interesting because urban places are unique and all differ from one another.

Cities differ in terms of standards, locations, jobs, landscapes and cultural heritage.

The objective of this research is to explore the types of ecotourism that can be exploited in the Emirate of Al-Baha, highlighting the different elements of the environmental tourism attractions that already exist.

The results of this study clarifies the concept of tourism that is based on visits to natural areas, conservation and environmental sustainability – such as increasing community revenues and conserving natural resources, improving environmental quality and developing infrastructure.