Hayah - The red sea community project

Hayah, meaning ‘Life’ in Arabic, is HEPCA’s most ambitious environmental project yet. The project was launched on Earth Day, April 22nd 2008; the largest annual environmental event that is celebrated simultaneously around the globe by more than half a billion people.

The aim of Hayah is to involve all sections of the Red Sea community working towards the following objectives:

1. Raising awareness

Raising environmental awareness of multiple stakeholders in our Red Sea community (e.g. diving and water sport operators, hotels, schools, tourists, tour operators / travel agents and local communities / organisations).

2. Education and responsibility

Educating all stakeholders in the importance of individual and collective responsibility for our environment and providing ideas, methods and support for each and every one of us to make a difference.

3. Active participation

Encouraging all stakeholders in environmental citizenship and assisting them in positive actions to help ensure the overall sustainability of our Red Sea environment (on land and water).

Hayah was launched on Earth Day with a series of educational and clean-up events. The project is not a one-off, one-day event however. A full program of environmental actions, ongoing projects, awareness materials and resources will be rolled out over the coming months. More information on this exciting community project will be released soon including a complete micro site dedicated to Hayah.

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Sharm El-Chic

Barefoot all day and drunk all night. Countless people could, and generally do, describe their seaside vacation in Sharm El-Sheikh this way. Although drunken debauchery seems to take center stage at this haven for coastal crowds, the best thing about Sharm is the fact that you can find almost anything that suits your mood at any time of the day or night.

Sharm El-Sheikh’s rapid ascent into the top tier of coastal holiday destinations has brought with it some brilliant additions, but also the less appealing trappings of any tourist boomtown. On the plus side, the city is now by far the best place to party within 1,000 kilometers of Cairo.

Throngs of wealthy tourists have also lifted the standards of the local hospitality scene. When it comes to hotels, restaurants, recreation and service standards, Sharm El-Sheikh is now truly world class — something that cannot be said of any other Egyptian tourist town. Sharm is now more Las Vegas than Goa: Those seeking a mellow Sinai vacation have migrated north in search of what once was in places like Dahab and Ras Abu Ghalum. Not to worry though, the great thing about Sharm is you can find anything to suit your fancy and budget.

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