Introduction

Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) seeks continued cooperation with its provincial partners across the Kingdom, as well as public and private sectors for the development of eco-tourism throug all the tourist resorts, with enhanced tourist enjoyment while preserving environment simultaneously. These objectives to be achieved through increased awareness among tourists, citizens and expatriates through applying the concepts of "Leave No Trace" program.  This program aims to educate users about the tourist  safe and proper conduct at the tourist regions, which ensures leaving only minimum environmentally acceptable traces behind. The program does not aim to impose a specific or inevitable way of camping or following a specific behavior in the tourism areas, but it aims to provide an educational sample which includes the most appropriate means to reduce the negative impacts of camping and picnics in the wilderness. 

The Problem

The population and economic growth, as well as the increase in the number of tourists who continually visit natural places in rural areas throughout the provinces of the Kingdom, which adversely affect such places, leading to their weakening for tourist attractions. Some of these negative impacts are as follow:

-         The negative effects of diving and its impact on the sea and the coastal recreation.

-         Littering the beaches and natural parks.

-         Exposure of plants and wild animals to damage and extinction.

-         The damage and destruction of archaeological, historical and natural components.

Why “Leave No Trace" Program?

The natural coast line, parks and the antiquities are some of the most important features of tourism throughout the provinces. As all these elements are very sensitive, they need to be cared for and guarded to continue as an important source for the tourism in the country.

-         "Leave No Trace" program aims to develop self-awareness for the tourist or visitor, whether citizen or expatriate about the importance of preserving and protecting environmental resources, which must be preserved for the enjoyment of the future generation.

-    The program works to achieve the maximum possible degree of coordination and cooperation with relevant government authorities, private sector and citizens to preserve natural environment as an important tourism feature in the provinces.

Vision

To develop the sea coasts, historic sites, environmental and natural parks throughout the provinces of the Kingdom into attractive ecotourism resources.

Program Objectives
 

-         Raise awareness of the importance of preserving coastal and natural areas and historical sites in different provinces.

-         To protect natural tourism elements from damage and their continued development.

-         To encourage positive behaviors that ensure the safety of the environment, this in turn will contribute to the culture of eco-tourism.

-         Promoting the principle of partnership between individuals and institutions of society in order to achieve the objectives of the program.

-         To make the province a unique eco-tourism destination, both within and outside the Kingdom.

Program Description

 

The general concept of the "Leave No Trace" program is briefed as follows:

-         Form a Supreme Committee headed by His Royal Highness the Governor of Jeddah to oversee the program through the participation of all relevant governmental bodies and the private sector and some concerned citizens, who will be selected by His Royal Highness the Governor.

-         To organize activities to educate and train citizens, expatriates and tourists to teach the principle of positive behaviors and reject the negative practices along the beaches, parks and natural areas and historical sites in the province.

-          Design and implement a plan to finance the activities of the program

Program Elements  

-         To organize and arrange for advertisement and media campaigns, educational releases, brochures, articles, lectures, and panels that promote and develop a culture of eco-tourism preservation.

-         Organizing training courses for citizens and expatriates on appropriate ways to enjoy natural places and preserve them at the same time, and not to leave traces behind, so that other visitors can enjoy the same places again.

-         To conduct activities those promote the concept of protecting the environment through enjoyable competitions in schools, universities, markets and the media.

-         Strengthening regulations that aim to preserve the natural environments.

-         Organization of meetings and conferences to promote coordination efforts among all people in the field of environmental conservation and protection of beaches and natural parks.

-         Organization of meetings and rallies aimed at promoting participation of private sector in activities and events that promote the concept of the environmental preservation.

Training Program

To organize training courses throughout the provinces' cities, aiming to give participants a solid foundation in appropriate ways to deal with the natural environments through the practical work and the actual application of the principles of the “Leave No Trace” program.

Partners of Saudi Tourism Commission in the Program:
      -   Ministry of Interior
      -   Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs
      -   Region Amaras 
      -   Ministry of Education
      -   Ministry of Health
      -   Ministry of Agriculture
      -   Ministry of Culture and Information
      -   National Commission for Wild Life Protection and Development
      -   General Presidency for Meteorology and Environment Protection
      -   Saudi Geological Survey Commission 
      -   Private sector establishments and companies supporting the program

Program Materials

Program Events

      -   Red sea event
      -   Al Ghat event 
      -   Al Baha event
      -   Al Taif event 
      -   Abha event 
      -   Video file about the Hail event