The Tourism Geography of the Middle East

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The Tourism Geography of the Middle East
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Learning Objectives

• Describe the major physical features and climates
  of the Middle East and understand their
  significance for tourism
• Account for the fact that, due to political
  unrest, the regions tourism potential is largely
  unfulfilled despite its closeness to the tourist
  generating markets of Northern Europe
• Appreciate the continuing importance of religion
  in the everyday culture of the region, and the
  impact of religious fundamentalism and
  sectarianism on the political stability of many
  of these countries and the safety of foreign
  tourists
• Appreciate that inbound tourism to the region
  encompasses beach holidays, cultural tourism and
  business travel
• Recognize that the Middle East is an important
  generator of international tourism
• Identify the major features of tourism
  infrastructure in the region
• Demonstrate a knowledge of the tourist regions,
  resorts, business centres and tourist attractions
  of the Middle East

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Middle East

• Cultural features
• War torn
• Physical features
• Demand
• Supply
• Resources
• Cultural
• Climate
• Winter sports
• Adventure tourism
• Threats and tourism
• Political situation
• Vulnerable attractions

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Egypt

• Desert and Nile
• Demand
• Supply

• Resources
• Pyramids of Giza
• Luxor
• Abu Simbel
• Nile Valley
• Mediterranean Coast
• Red Sea Coast/Sinai

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Israel

• Significant country
• Religious conflict
• Demand

• Resources
• Varied products
• Coasts
• Spas
• Kibbutz
• Desert
• Cultural tourism (Holy Land)
• Tel Aviv
• Haifa
• Jerusalem

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Jordan

• Desert country
• Politically stable
• Resources
• Petra
• Wadi Rum
• Dead Sea
• Kerak
• Jerash
• River Jordan
• Red Sea Coast

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Syria
Lebanon

• Tourism not a priority
• Resources
• Damascus
• Palmyra
• Aleppo
• Krak des Chevaliers

• Tourism renaissance
• Beirut
• Mount Lebanon
• Bekaa Valley

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Turkey

• Seeking EU membership
• Bridges east and west
• Stable
• Demand
• Inbound ITs
• Supply

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Turkey Resources

• Northern Aegean
• Southern Aegean
• Marmaris/Bodrum
• Turquoise Coast
• Antalya
• Istanbul
• Ephesus

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Arabian Peninsula
Iran and Iraq

• Cultural and physical contrasts
• Demand
• Oil
• United Arab Emirates
• Dubai
• Oman
• Saudi Arabia
• Yemen

• Iran
• Iraq