Under the auspices of Prof. Mohamed Ahmed Abdel-Latif, Dean of the Faculty, and led by Prof. Mohamed Abdel-Fattah Zahry, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs, a seminar titled "Tourism Awareness and Its Role in Achieving Sustainable Tourism Development" was organised by Dr. Ahmed Saleh Abo El-Enein, Director of the Tourism Education for Sustainable Development Unit, on Thursday, 19 December 2024.

This seminar is part of the activity plan of the Tourism Education for Sustainable Development Unit under the Faculty's Education and Student Affairs sector, aligning with the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): "Quality Education".

The seminar emphasised that local tourism awareness is the key to the sustainability of cultural heritage and its preservation. The greater the community's understanding of the value of its heritage, the more effective and sustainable tourism development becomes.

Dr. Arwa Ahmed El-Barashi, Lecturer in the Department of Tourism Studies, delivered the seminar. She discussed:

Concepts, pillars, and objectives of sustainable development.

Various types of awareness, including self-awareness, social awareness, and intellectual awareness, and their relationship to sustainable tourism development.

The importance of sustainable tourism development in preserving archaeological heritage sites, enhancing cultural and social identity, protecting biodiversity, conserving natural resources, achieving economic sustainability, and minimising the negative impacts of tourism activities while generating sufficient revenues for resource maintenance.

A case study of the Abu Mena archaeological site in Alexandria was also presented, highlighting the significant role of raising local community awareness in sustaining cultural and archaeological heritage.

The seminar concluded with an open discussion and Q&A session with the students in attendance.