Exploring the Role of Slum Tourism in Developing Slums in Egypt: "Applied on Slums of Alexandria City"

Abstract

Slum tourism refers to that form of speciality tourism, which involves organising tours to impoverished areas in some cities. This research aims at activating slum tourism in Egypt for benefiting from its role in developing slums of Egypt 'applied on slums of Alexandria City'. The research depended on primary data through targeting 520 online questionnaire forms at a random sample of respondents. The questionnaire was designed for gathering answers on applying slum tourism to benefit from its role in transforming slums into developed urban areas. The research also depended on secondary data related to the subject of study. The findings revealed that slum tourism attracts high expenditure niche tourists which can affect positively on the Egyptian tourism sector. Furthermore, it can be a successful way towards developing slums in Egypt by donating a portion of its tours' profits in developing slums of Alexandria, and then other Egyptian cities can act accordingly. The research recommends raising the local people's awareness of slum tourism and its importance. It also emphasises the co-operation amongst Egyptian travel agencies in Egypt, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and local Egyptian development institutions in achieving this goal.