07 September 2008
AMMAN – Petra and tourism authorities are working on a new plan aimed at regulating the site’s services and ensuring visitors a quality experience at the ancient Nabataean city.
Suleiman Farajat, head of the Petra Archaeological Park (PAP), said the plan was developed to keep up with and sustain the growth in visitor traffic to the site.
“We’ve been working on these plans for some time now. They are going to be important in helping improve the visitor experience on many levels,” said Farajat.
“They include introducing regulations and standards for those operating services within the site as well as guidelines for visitors,” he added.
Notice boards will be posted at different sites within Petra informing visitors of the services they are entitled to, while specific areas will be marked with guidelines for trails and the requirements to undertake them. For example, signs will indicate sections that could be physically challenging and require good fitness levels as well as equipment, he noted.
Tourists will also be informed which trails they are permitted to take on their own and those that require the presence of a tour guide.
“It is important that visitors understand the nature of the site and avoid wandering off on their own where they may need assistance at some point,” said Farajat.
“We also produced brochures guiding visitors on what to wear and take with them as well as what to look out for if they are accompanied by children,” he added.
As part of the changes, focus will also be placed on local bedouins working in the site, such as horse carriage owners and vendors, the PAP official said.
For example there will be stricter regulations ranging from the welfare of animals to their attire and licensing for vendors.
Regulations will also be applied to film crews wishing to shoot in the rose-red city.
According to Farajat, such activities in the past had negatively affected the environment and visitor experience at the site and will now be managed more effectively.
“When crews come in large numbers with heavy equipment and cars, this harms not only the fragile environment in Petra but can also be disruptive for tourists,” Farajat said, adding that film crews will now need to fill in an application that states the conditions under which they can operate.
Farajat said an informative website on Petra in both Arabic and English will be launched by the end of the month providing data on tourists’ needs, including taxis, restaurants, hotels operating in the area, trails, tour guides regulations and history of the site itself.
In addition, a larger visitor centre is slated for construction in the near future, he added.
The USAID/Jordan Tourism Development Project, PAP and the Ministry of Tourism carried out a survey earlier this year to get an idea of tourists’ impressions of Petra.
A random selection of visitors were asked various questions, including their reasons for visiting the Kingdom and what they liked and disliked about Petra.
The survey also sought insight from visitors on the range and quality of services offered within the site, including facilities, food outlets, souvenir shops, as well as transport options offered by tourism service providers in the area and information offered by PAP.
By Dalya Dajani
