UNDP conducts a specialized tourism and environmental planning course
UNDP conducts a specialized tourism and environmental planning course
Source : UNDP Jordan
04-Sep-2016
As part of its continuous efforts through the “Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation in Tourism Sector Development in Jordan (BITS) Project”, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Jordan organized a specialized training course in environmental planning and biodiversity conservation in tourism sector over two days at the Royal Academy for Nature Conservation in Ajloun Forest Reserve.
Supported the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and in collaboration with the Engicon, the training course aimed at providing the green tourism unit staff and selected representatives from project partners with relevant background information on biodiversity conservation importance in addition to presenting a proposed approach for integrating biodiversity into the tourism sector and demonstrating the importance of environmental planning in Tourism sector to participants.
. Participants included employees from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and representatives from Petra development tourism Region Authority, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, and The Royal Society for The Conservation of Nature.
Participants expressed out the significance of the “Green Tourism Unit” role, that was established in the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities through BITS Project. This role is witnessed through building capability of the ministry and partners, the establishment of database to provide key support in decision-making in taking environmental issues into account.
Participants also discussed the value of tailoring a general green policy, to demonstrate the Ministry’s commitment towards preserving the environment in general and biodiversity in particular. Participants agreed on the general scope of the policy, which is intended to be submitted formally to the Ministry, preparing for its adoption and announcement on later stages. This declaration confirms the Government's commitment to international conventions that endorse environment and biodiversity.
The training coincided with the Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities’s visit to the Royal Academy for Nature Conservation accompanied with a number of Ministers, where PM praised such efforts undertaken by UNDP and BITS project in collaboration with partners, which trigger economic development in a sustainable and environmental manner.