CLIENT:

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)- Jordan

BACKGROUND:

The project aims to “Ensure the long-term survival of coral reefs in Jordan and equitable sharing of the benefits of the ecosystem services they provide, by developing mechanisms to ensure that biodiversity protection is addressed within the development framework of the ASEZ, and in particular into sectors of economy that strongly impact it, notably Ecotourism”.

MANDATE:

• Mobilizing national technical expertise
• Review Aqaba marketing strategies to focus on Ecotourism options and the environmental image of Aqaba, and to promote and target ecotourism and marine ecotourism niche markets
• Identify alternative Ecotourism activities that take pressure off the coastline
• Review and update the Interpretation Plans and fee collection system of the Marine Park, to enhance visitor experience and appreciation of the natural environment
• Inclusion of incentive measures and/or financial mechanisms into regulatory policy and monitoring of compliance
• Identify gaps in skills, knowledge and attitudes with regard to Ecotourism;
• Develop a strategy and a plan of action for capacity development
• Review the permitting procedures at ASEZA and any other relevant regulations so as to avoid any duplication
• Outline the   standards and best practices that investors will need to consider when prepare the designs of their investments so they incorporate green sustainable elements into proposed buildings, site works, construction methods and long-term operation and maintenance programs
• Formulate the  Guidelines for Environmentally Sound Investments

REALIZATION YEAR: 2013-2014

NUMBER OF STAFF PROVIDED: 4 

CLIENT:

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)- Jordan

BACKGROUND:

The project is the result of cooperation between Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) in cooperation with United Nations Development Program (UNDP)goal of this project is to internalize biodiversity as an asset and value for economic development and promoting more effective and integrated management of the coastal zone in Aqaba.

MANDATE:

• Mobilizing national technical expertise
• Planning and supervising required surveys and field work by the national consultants
• Effectively communicate and collaborate with stakeholders (national counterparts and UNDP)
• Planning and supervising required logistical and administrative arrangements
• Assist in the sound mainstreaming of marine biodiversity conservation concepts in the project design work; and Timely delivery of quality reports

REALIZATION YEAR: 2010-2011

NUMBER OF STAFF PROVIDED: 3 

CLIENT:

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)- Jordan

BACKGROUND:

A Final Evaluation was commissioned to provide the project’s managers with strategy and policy options for more effectively and efficiently achieving the “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in Dibeen PA and for replicating the results in other projects.

MANDATE:

• Evaluating the project outputs against the development plan
• Evaluating the human recourse system
• Providing the client with recommendations

REALIZATION YEAR: 2007

Number of Staff Provided: 2 

CLIENT:

Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC), Jordan

BACKGROUND:

This training programme was designed and implemented over two years of field work to  enables the Wadi Rum PA’s local community involved in tourism services a practical experience in providing campsites, guides, food & beverage, 4x4 drivers and tourism packages preparation and costing, in order to improve the quality of these services, develop new activities, ensure more economic benefits and empower women’s involvement.

MANDATE:

• On-site assessment and focus group meetings
• On-site training workshops
• Review and assessment of products & services
• Prepare detailed reports of the new vision and actions to be taken.

REALIZATION YEAR: 2004-2005

Number of Staff Provided: 6 

CLIENT:

United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNEFM)-Jordan

BACKGROUND:

This project executed a training program to empower women on unconventional skills as well as tourism specific skills, allowing the trained women to compete indifferent tourism sub sectors providing her with sustainable financial and moral reward

MANDATE:

• Interview trainees
• Prepare training material assessment
• Training workshops and round table discussions
• Specialized field tours

REALIZATION YEAR: 2003

Number of Staff Provided: 2 

CLIENT:

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN)- Jordan

BACKGROUND:

To prepare a comprehensive Ecotourism Development Plan (ETDP) for the proposed Ecotourism corridor between Azraq and Burqu that prescribes where and how appropriate tourism facilities, services and experiences can be developed that ensure sensitive desert habitats will not be unacceptably altered by tourism pressure, while generating significant financial returns for target local communities.

MANDATE:

• Environmental and local community contexts
• Ecotourism vision, principles and needs
• Defining the corridor: main tourist attractions and experiences (including the protected areas)
• Type, location and detailed description of accommodation facilities and services
• Master plan showing the whole corridor and the proposed developments in graphic
• Concept designs for the agreed accommodation facilities (eco-lodge and campsites)
• Feasibility studies and business plans for the accommodation and main services
• Recommendations for implementation scheduling

REALIZATION YEAR: 2015-2016

Number of Staff Provided: 6

CLIENT:

Al Ma wa for Nature and Wildlife- Jordan

BACKGROUND:

Accordingly, the Reserve overall tourism vision is “The development of upscale tourism activities and accommodations associated with recreational activities integrated with quality wildlife management operation”. This vision will be achieved through the development of an experience-based tourism destination, utilizing new millennium marketing tools that are more personal, related to customers’ needs; at the same time it will be cost effective to avoid useless traditional marketing expenditure.

MANDATE:

• Ecotourism vision, principles and needs
• Defining the tourism activities, main tourist attractions and experiences
• Propose hospitality standards related to existing facilities
• Concept designs for the interpretation and signage system
• Feasibility studies and business plans

REALIZATION YEAR: 2015-2016

Number of Staff Provided: 3

CLIENT:

Al Balqa’ Applied University and European Union (EU)

BACKGROUND:

The assignment was concerned with the implementation of Destination Management Organization (DMO) model in Aqaba. The model shall be designed by an international expert and there is a need to localize it so it becomes suitable to the local context of Aqaba in terms of institutional and operational aspects.  The concept of DMO is new to Jordan and the region as well, accordingly, efforts are needed to promote the benefits of applying this new approach for managing tourism sector in Aqaba in a sustainable manner. The model will be implemented simultaneously in the other two partner destinations; Sinis in Sardinia and Mahdia in Tunisia. This will certainly require coordination with other teams engaged in similar work in order to ensure experience and knowledge sharing as well as lessons learned.

MANDATE:

• Assist in coordinating efforts needed to establish the appropriate framework and umbrella for the implementation of DMO
• Work in close coordination with the international DMO expert and DMO tutor appointed by the project
• Assist in prompting the concept of DMO mole among the concerned stakeholders.
• Assist in the implementation of the DMO model in Aqaba following the guidelines realized by the Project Beneficiary with the support of the expert in charge of developing DMO Model for sustainable destinations.
• Adopt a common system for local social, cultural, economic, and environmental indicators based on the ETIS – European Sustainable Tourism Indicators.
• Attend local and international workshops and seminars / conferences planned for the dissemination of project results.

REALIZATION YEAR: 2015-2016

Number of Staff Provided: 2