Recognizing the deep interconnection between nature conservation and community well-being, the Egyptian Nature Protection Association (NCE) has launched a focused initiative to empower local tour operators and transform them into active stewards of wildlife.

Through the promotion of birdwatching tourism as a sustainable and conservation-driven economic activity, NCE is working to strengthen the role of local operators as frontline partners in biodiversity protection. Birdwatching is not only a growing global eco-tourism niche, but also a powerful tool that links livelihoods with the preservation of natural habitats and migratory bird corridors.

Within this framework, NCE is actively building the technical, practical, and environmental knowledge of tour operators working in key sites such as Camp El Burullus and Sobek Planet. Capacity-building activities include field-based training, species identification skills, responsible wildlife observation practices, and guidance on delivering high-quality, low-impact eco-tourism experiences.

This initiative aims to create a new generation of eco-guides who are both economically empowered and environmentally conscious. By integrating conservation principles into local tourism practices, NCE seeks to foster sustainable eco-tourism models that contribute directly to local livelihoods, support habitat restoration efforts, and strengthen the foundation for more effective environmental governance and policy development in Egypt.