By Khetam Malkawi

AMMAN - Tourists planning to visit Petra will soon be able to combine their trip to the Nabataean city with excursions to the nearby Dana Reserve and the newly protected area of Jabal Masuda, under a USAID-funded project to be implemented by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN).

“Nature-Driven Rural Development in the Southern Region” is one of three projects launched yesterday as part of a $38.3 million initiative that is designed to support the Kingdom’s tourism industry and improve its competitiveness.

The project provides tourists with packages to enjoy the landscape of the three sites, so they can spend a week in the area instead of only two days in Petra, Wild Jordan Director Chris Johnson told The Jordan Times, noting that the RSCN has already started working on the initiative.

The project also entails providing training to Jabal Masuda residents to help them generate income, added Johnson, who is managing the project.

Two other projects were also launched at yesterday’s ceremony hosted by USAID acting administrator Alonzo Fulgham and Tourism Minister Maha Khatib, and attended by US Ambassador to Jordan Stephen Beecroft.

The Jordan Tourism Development Project II will be implemented in cooperation with the ministry to develop key tourism products and destinations in the Kingdom and strengthen the capacity of tourism institutions to lead and guide the sector.

Under the third project for “Cultural and Environmental Tourism”, the US National Park Service will work with the government and local communities on strengthening the capacity of cultural and environmental tourism sites to enhance the tourism experience while assuring that environmental, natural and cultural resources are protected.

According to Kathryn Washburn, director of international affairs at the US Department of Interior, this project will address three sites and four topics.

As part of the initiative, training will be conducted for the rangers in Petra, while the partners will find a way to increase visitors and local involvement in the Dana Reserve.

In addition, the project entails training RSCN staff in the US, as well as conducting studies on tourist trail land use in the protected areas.