Jordan Times
Friday, December 7, 2007
USAID-Siyaha joins
World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism
AMMAN (JT) - The USAID/Jordan Tourism Development Project (Siyaha) announced
that it has joined the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (WHA) as
an associate partner.
The WHA is an industry-leading initiative founded by Expedia, Inc. and the
United Nations Foundation, to support UNESCO’s goal of promoting and protecting
the 851 World Heritage sites around the world.
“Jordan has a wealth of fascinating and beautiful historic attractions, many of
which are extremely delicate. By becoming a member of the World Heritage
Alliance, the USAID/Jordan Tourism Development Project can help Jordan to
effectively work towards striking a balance between presenting and preserving
heritage sites, particularly through our work in Petra,” said Siyaha Chief of
Party Ibrahim Osta.
The partnership will see USAID-Siyaha and WHA implement a programme to assist in
strengthening the management of the Kingdom’s World Heritage sites, most notably
in Petra, and launch a public awareness campaign about these sites.
In Petra, support will also include a combination of grants to community-based
organisations and local businesses, training, and development of local tourism
projects and activities consistent with World Heritage and sustainable tourism
principles.
Efforts will also integrate the project’s work with the Petra National Trust to
create a Petra zoning plan, according to a joint statement.
“We’re pleased to have the USAID/Jordan Tourism Development Project joining the
partnership,” said WHA Executive Director Erika Harms.
“Together we have the power to reach millions of people around the world and
help both preserve and protect some of the world’s most beautiful and
significant sites.”
Last month, during a three-day visit by the UN Foundation board of directors,
the WHA announced a partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
which covers the Kingdom’s World Heritage sites, including Qaser Amra, and Um Al
Rasas.
Jordan is the second country to make an agreement with the WHA, which was formed
in 2005; last year, Mexico was the first to benefit from the service alliance.
By the end of 2007, there will be 50 members and partners of the World Heritage
Alliance for Sustainable Tourism - up from 15 in 2006 including, Expedia Inc.
and the UN Foundation.
These members and partners will be working in seven countries to aid in the
conservation of at least 20 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the statement said.
All WHA members were recognised at a series of events in New York last week,
including a dinner and symposium discussing important issues related to World
Heritage and sustainable tourism.
The WHA offers two levels of partnership, each being committed to advancing the
WHA mission: WHA members and WHA associate partners. WHA members consist of
travel industry companies, such as hotels, tour operators, travel agents,
airlines and cruises, among others.
WHA associate partners are NGOs, civil society groups, government bodies,
industry associations and other organisations that may not exclusively be
devoted to tourism.
Each WHA member is committed to:
• Implementing the World Heritage Alliance principles, a set of guidelines
developed in consultation between the UN Foundation, Expedia, UNESCO World
Heritage Centre and National Geographic that foster greater attention to social,
cultural and environmental sustainability within their business.
• Participating in staff training programmes by enrolling staff in occasional
in-person or online training courses organised by the WHA that educate about the
key issues related to World Heritage and sustainable tourism.
• Educating the travelling public about World Heritage by providing
informational materials, exclusive packages to World Heritage destinations,
volunteer opportunities with local communities, and the ability for customers to
purchase goods and services that are rooted in local cultures and environments.
• Supporting community development around World Heritage sites by working with
local communities to build and enhance sustainable tourism opportunities for
travellers and to provide markets for locally produced sustainable goods and
services.
• Engaging employees to support the local community through WHA volunteer
programmes and other opportunities that allow employees to work side-by-side
with community-based initiatives.
• Supporting the United Nations in its efforts to encourage sustainable tourism
and the protection of World Heritage sites through the UNESCO World Heritage
Convention.