Ecotourism in Jordan

[4] Ecotourism practices were considered when planning for tourism destinations in order to improve its contribution to the local and national economic development.

By promoting tourism throughout the country, business owners and hoteliers contribute to conserving Jordan's landscape.

[11] The ecotourism scheme has provided job opportunities and a market for local products, bringing much needed economic stability to some of Jordan's poorest rural communities.

[12] In addition to small NGOs and other organizations, The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and USAID are largely responsible for the increase in ecotourism in Jordan.

[13] In 2000, USAID began supporting development of Jordan's eco-tourism industry as a means to create jobs in rural communities.

The RSCN has a 100% local employment policy in all their protected areas, resulting in eco-tourism directly supporting around 160,000 families throughout Jordan.

The local communities contribute to eco-tourism by leading tours and hikes, working in the lodges and restaurants, transporting people and resources, and other various jobs.

[22] Herding was once sustainable, but with population growth there was too much pressure on the diverse plants and grazing area.

The goal of the project is to bring back the community members who left the poor city in search of work.