PROMOTION OF SOCOTRA ISLAND AS AN ECOTOURIST DESTINATION

Socotra Island is located in the Arabian Sea under the jurisdiction of Yemen. It has an extraordinary ecological value, of which over 30% of its plants are endemic. Although, UNISCO listed the island in2008 as a World Heritage Site, little has been done to turn it into an eco-friendly destination because of fragile infrastructure, political instability, and lack of global awareness. This research focuses on the potential of promoting Socotra as an ecotourism destination under the aspect of sustainability. The study uses a qualitative approach and SWOT analysis to analyze the environmental, economic, and political situation in Socotra. It also discusses successful models of ecotourism in Costa Rica, Madagascar, and the Galápagos Islands for identification of the relevant strategies. The findings portray the main strengths of Socotra: distinct biodiversity, cultural heritage, and seclusion from a wave of mass tourism. However, the barriers include the bad transport access, low governance, and absence of trained personnel. Among other opportunities are the global demand for eco-friendly travel and international conservation partners as well. Some of the threats are degradation of the environment and Yemen’s wide-scale conflict. The research suggests focused strategies on marketing, which conform to the ecology of Socotra. Some of these are digital promotion, small scale eco-lodging, and community engagement programs. A major recommendation is to control tourist capacity to conserve natural habitats and generate sustainable income for the local community. The study provides some practical guidance for NGOs, policymakers, and future planners of tourism who can make a connection between protecting biodiversity and responsible economic activities, namely carefully controlled ecotourism.