Khaberni - The Commissioner of Tourism and Youth Affairs at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Thabet Hassan Al-Nabulsi, during a visit to a number of tourist sites in the Wadi Rum area, affirmed that the Authority is proceeding to implement its vision aimed at developing Wadi Rum and enhancing its status as a comprehensive global tourist destination, based on sustainable tourism, natural resource investment, and maximizing the environmental and cultural value of the area.
Al-Nabulsi's visit was part of monitoring the situation of the tourist areas and understanding their needs, where he began his tour with a visit to the Wadi Rum Natural Reserve and reviewed the efforts made to protect the endangered Arabian Oryx, and the plans to develop the fenced area and transform it from a natural site into a comprehensive environmental tourist product.
The director of the Wadi Rum area, Saleh Al-Naimat, presented the origin of the reserve which was established in 1999, and its inclusion in 2011 on the UNESCO Mixed Natural and Cultural Heritage list, due to its unique environmental and heritage value, and for containing thousands of inscriptions and rock drawings that document the history of human settlement, in addition to being a natural habitat for the Arabian Oryx, which contributed to the launch of a re-breeding project to preserve biodiversity.
Al-Nabulsi mentioned that developing the fenced area in the reserve forms the nucleus of an organized environmental tourism project as part of a comprehensive plan by the Aqaba Authority, in partnership with the local community, which includes creating multi-use trails, placing models and interpretative signs, establishing a visitor reception center, advanced service facilities, and a tourist lookout, to ensure a quality and safe tourism experience.
Al-Nabulsi also reviewed the cycle track that was organized according to public safety standards, in a step aimed at promoting environmentally friendly tourism, in addition to a tour that included the Wadi Rum visitor center, the Barda Women's Cooperative Society, and the craft center, where he inspected the visitor reception facilities, reviewed the workflow and development plans, and listened to observations from staff and the challenges they face.
The tour concluded with a visit to the camel racing track, where discussions were held on ways to develop it and enhance its role in stimulating heritage and sports tourism, and linking camel races to the cultural identity of the area, contributing to the diversification of the tourism product.
At the end of the visit, Al-Nabulsi confirmed that efforts will be made to address challenges according to available resources, improve the quality of services provided to visitors, enhance the efficiency of managing tourist sites, alongside empowering the local community and linking craft products to the tourist path, which contributes to expanding the participation of local community members, particularly women, and achieving sustainable economic returns for the residents of the area.
