The Ministry of Environment intends to put forward a global bid to invest in some areas in Valley of the Camels in the coming period. The ministry aims to boosts the number of visitors to 30,000 before the end of the year.
Mohamed Ali, director general of the area, said that the ministry is currently preparing a booklet of conditions and specifications for this auction to be consistent with the objectives of the reserve and maintain it.
The investment in the protected area includes the establishment of rest and commercial areas to increase the services provided to visitors.
Ali expected the number of visitors to reach 30,000 before the end of the year, compared to 6,000 per month, estimated five years ago.
He explained that the majority of visitors are German and Italian tourists.
The Ministry of the Environment submitted a request to the Red Sea governorate to re-collect the entry fees of the nature reserve of Valley of the Camels from foreign and local tourists. The ministry is awaiting the final response from the governorate to implement it, as the reserve is open for free at present for visitors, whether Egyptians or foreigners.
Valley of the Camels near Hamata is a national park that covers an area of 60 square kilometres in southern Red Sea governorate and stretches 40 km along the Red Sea coast.
There are many reptiles in the reserve, most notably snakes, including the horned desert viper and the sand snake. The dolphins and sea turtles, as well as the different types of coral reefs, are spread in the area.
There are many environmental areas in the reserve, including the Valley of the Camels area, which are unique in nature, where the desert environment and its wildlife meets fresh and salty lakes along with palm trees.
