The airport at Kharga is used mainly by businessmen and government bureaucrats who work in the area. Tourism officials say there are plans to convert a military airport in Siwa to civilian use. Rady insists oasis tourism will be eco-minded. He says officials are aware of the messy development along the Red Sea, where shopping malls mar the beauty of the mountains. Many coral reefs were destroyed in the building marinas for yachts. ''There is more awareness and carefulness these days,'' Rady says.
Environmentalists hope some oasis areas can be protected reserves.
The desert is always seen as harsh and can take anything, but actually it is quite sensitive because everything is so critically balanced.'' To some, change cannot come soon enough. Mounir Neamatalla, who has built two hotels in Siwa, says the goal should be to protect the oasis's unique assets of history and nature while benefiting local people and investors. As an example, he says Siwans can profit through making and selling olive oil, soap and clothes by traditional methods. Neamatalla is part-owner of a private company called Environmental Quality International. The houses, with the mud brick and soft angles, match the environment.