Ammon News - A tourism project funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan and implemented by Leaders International (LI) in partnership with the Jordan Trail Association officially concluded with a visit to beneficiaries in Karak and Tafileh governorates.

The two-year project, funded by the embassy’s Shiraka fund, created new economic opportunities for local communities along the southern, more marginalised, part of the Jordan trail — a hiking route that traverses the entire length of the country from Umm Qais in the north to Aqaba in the south, according to a LI statement.

Throughout, the project identified, developed and promoted economic opportunities for 23 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) between Karak and Aqaba, where it enabled them to deliver community-based experiences for local and inbound tourists alike. Accordingly, the project succeeded in improving their livelihoods and enhancing their overall living standards, read the statement.

Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan, Marc Hasselaar, said: “We are happy to celebrate the closing of a very successful project by visiting two businesses in Al Karak and Al Tafileh respectively. Umm Karam and her son were able to expand their kitchen and mobile camp with support from this project.

“With more local tourists requesting their services, Umm Karam grew her kitchen by employing female relatives to help her cater to the increased demand. In Tafileh, the Al Lahthah Camp have expanded the number of tents available to cater to more overnight guests.”

He also added: “This project is testament to the importance of supporting small-sized businesses and creating jobs in local communities. While Jordanian tourism has kept up, both enterprises are eagerly awaiting the return of foreign tourists to Jordan.”

Production kitchen and mobile camp service providers Al Mahayneh (Umm Karam) and her 23-year old son Karam, expressed their gratitude for the project as it enabled them to buy their own assets and tools instead of renting, which was more costly and time-consuming.

Karam said: “For the future, I am trying to become self-sufficient, and the most important thing for me is to benefit the local people around me — not only in Al Karak, but in the surrounding areas as well.”

Voicing his support to the embassy’s ongoing contributions to develop Jordan’s tourism sector, LI Country Manager Hamzeh Shamaileh said: “Tourism is Jordan’s non-depletable oil and is as such pivotal with regards to economic recovery and growth. With the embassy’s continuous support, we help the sector not only to recover but also build back better for a more sustainable, responsible and resilient future.”