Slow tourism experience : an innovative approach for sustainable tourism development in egypt (the case of Siwa)‎

Abstract EN

Running parallel to the traditional concept of mass tourism, there has been a new trend seeking to slow the movement of the tourism activity in order to make the tourist holiday less stressful and more enjoyable.

This new trend is called "Slow tourism".

Slow tourism aims to respect local culture and preserve natural environment.

Slow tourism destination moves away from the idea of a “resort” or “holiday park” and seeks to offer a traditional lifestyle with the benefits of a local community.

It also includes exploring the local area, interacting with the host community as well as its heritage and local culture, relying on local products, foods, and reducing the use of technology in order to achieve sustainability for the slow destination.

This new trend of tourism attracts tourists who preferring quality for quantity, seeking for authentic experience and appreciating originality.

It provides them the opportunity to be involved in several kinds of activities, enabling them exploring the destination and living in it not just visiting it.

Slow Tourism can be discussed from a consumer behavior, management, marketing or sustainable tourism perspective.

Therefore, this study sheds light on the potentials of slow tourism in Siwa as an Egyptian place characterized by natural and environmental features which can be employed for slow tourism experience.

This study will be a starting point for further studies in this field in the future.