Of the 220 million tourists who visit the region every year, over 100 million flock to the beaches. In less than 20 years, the annual number of tourists visiting the area is expected to increase to 350 million.

The development of all those things that tourists need, such as hotels and roads, are a major cause of habitat loss, especially for endangered species such as sea turtles and monk seals. Marine turtles, for example, have been badly affected by the destruction of nesting sites and by disturbance.

Ever larger numbers of tourists are also having a huge impact on the use of natural resources. Increased use of water in hotels, swimming pools and golf courses, especially during the summer, has aggravated water shortages, which are a major concern in the region.