Local Partnership for Tourism Development (SHAMS)

Our Projects

Local Partnership for Tourism Development (SHAMS)

Funded by: The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan

Duration: 2019 - 2023

Overview
The Local Partnership for Tourism Development is a three-year initiative aimed at fostering economic opportunities for women and youth in rural Jordan. By celebrating local culture, heritage, and talent, the project has made a significant impact in the region. The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan supports this endeavor.
“I love agriculture, and this project helped us revive the orchards and preserve the legacy of our ancestors. The orchards were neglected, but the project helped us bring the youth back to take care of them and introduce people to our history. We welcome tourists and are happy to share our customs and traditions.”

Ali Mahameed

Al Basateen Al Shamiya, Ma’an Heritage Trail

“I love agriculture, and this project helped us revive the orchards and preserve the legacy of our ancestors. The orchards were neglected, but the project helped us bring the youth back to take care of them and introduce people to our history. We welcome tourists and are happy to share our customs and traditions.”

Ali Mahameed

Al Basateen Al Shamiya, Ma’an Heritage Trail

Quick Facts
The Local Partnership for Tourism Development project, also known as “SHAMS” (which means “sun” in Arabic), is a collaborative effort between Partners for Good and local communities in the Ma’an Governorate and Southern Shouneh in the Dead Sea area. These regions have some of Jordan’s highest unemployment rates, particularly among women and youth.
In the Ma’an Governorate, the project supported local organizations in establishing:

The Ma’an Heritage Trail (Al Basateen Al Shamiyah) in the northern part of Ma’an city.

  • /albasateenalshamiya

Al Alia Track (camel racetrack) in Al Jafer.

  • /alaliatrack

Bait Al Alia Camp (traditional Bedouin camp) in Al Husseiniya city.

  • /baitalaliacamp

Brri Herbals (herbal products) in Al Ashari.

  • /brriherbals

In the Dead Sea area, local organizations, in partnership with Partners for Good, have created:

Dar Al Shouneh “Jordanian Village Experience (a traditional cultural experience) in Southern Shouneh

  • /dar_al_shouneh

Shouneh Products (locally-produced jams, sun-dried tomatoes, and sauces) in Southern Shouneh.

  • /shounehproducts

Rama Compost (organic compost facility).

  • /ramacompost

This project celebrates and leverages the unique culture and heritage of these areas, placing local values and biodiversity at the core of the development process.
Nearly 600 women and youth have enhanced their skills and income thanks to this project. In 2022, over 400 tourists visited Dar Al Shouneh, and more than 1,500 jars of jam, pizza sauce, and sundried tomatoes were produced and sold through partnerships with the private sector.
Impact in Numbers
Job Opportunities Created
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Community Member Benefited from the Project
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Trainees
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Training Workshops
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Partner CBOs
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Different Communities
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Income Generating Components Launched
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Goals

The Local Partnership for Tourism Development aims to:

Activities

Dead Sea Area:

Project objectives in the Dead Sea area will be achieved through the following activities:

Creation of a distinctive hospitality facility

Empowerment of local community women and farmers

Addressing social and environmental impact

Engaging the local community

CREATION OF A DISTINCTIVE HOSPITALITY FACILITY
Our vision is to establish a hospitality facility that stands apart from conventional five-star hotels. This facility will authentically recreate the ambiance of Jordanian homes and villages, infusing them with local heritage, while maintaining the high standards of service and amenities found in upscale hotels. The initiative will enable local communities to actively participate in the economic benefits generated by tourist foot traffic to the Dead Sea.
Ma’an Governorate
The project’s core model for the Ma’an Governorate centers around four key activities, harnessing the unique local environment to create desert-themed tourism activities and opportunities:

Desert tourism and heritage kitchen camp

Sustainable Bedouin tourism offerings and festivals

Addressing social and environmental impact

Showcasing Ma’an’s heritage, biodiversity, and natural beauty

DESERT TOURISM AND HERITAGE KITCHEN CAMP

We will establish a desert tourism and heritage kitchen camp to meet the growing demand for desert tourism facilities in Ma’an.
This initiative will not only create employment opportunities for local youth and women but also enrich tourism offerings in the region.

Local Partnership for Tourism Development
SOUTHERN SHOUNEH COMPONENTS DIAGRAM
Partners

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan

Governorate of Ma’an

Governorate of Balqa

Husseiniya Municipality

Southern Shouneh Municipality

Sweimeh Municipality

Greening the Desert Project

Bi’r Al-Shamiya Agricultural Cooperative

Robo’ Al Badia Association

Al-Jawhara Association for the Revival of Tourist Heritage

Al-Ash’ari Association

Al Rawda Association for Social Development

Al Odwan Agriculture Cooperative

Jordan Valley Development and Reconstruction Association

Hilton Dead Sea Resort and Spa

Mövenpick Resort and Spa Dead Sea

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Food and Drug Administration

National Center for Agricultural Research

Octa

We

Discover Circle

Souq Fann

Rawabi Farah

Mövenpick Resort and Spa Dead Sea

Zikra

Sitti

Approach
Our development approach revolves around the seamless integration of local communities into the tourism value chain. We leverage tourist influx to unearth hitherto unexplored opportunities for job creation, economic empowerment, and skill-based entrepreneurship. This holistic strategy unfolds across both the Ma’an Governorate and the Dead Sea area, with a strong emphasis on preserving and promoting the cultural heritage and biodiversity of these regions.
Our process involved a meticulous analysis of stakeholders and local communities to evaluate existing locations, infrastructure, and potential. Identifying construction requirements was pivotal, and we prioritized engaging local contractors and skilled laborers. Through a series of capacity-building workshops, we imparted invaluable knowledge to local youth, women, and community organizations, covering areas such as hospitality standards, food safety, business management, and marketing. Our dedicated project team continues to provide unwavering support, ensuring the sustainability and ultimate success of our endeavors. Leveraging strategic partnerships, we effectively market project components through diverse channels, including social media, online platforms, and collaborations with renowned organizations such as Souq Fann, Viavii, Trip Advisor, and Sitti.
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Local Partnership for Tourism Development (SHAMS)

Duration

2019-2023

Overview

The Local Partnership for Tourism Development is a three-year initiative aimed at fostering economic opportunities for women and youth in rural Jordan. By celebrating local culture, heritage, and talent, the project has made a significant impact in the region. The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan supports this endeavor. 

“I love agriculture, and this project helped us revive the orchards and preserve the legacy of our ancestors. The orchards were neglected, but the project helped us bring the youth back to take care of them and introduce people to our history. We welcome tourists and are happy to share our customs and traditions.”

Ali Mahameed

Al Basateen Al Shamiya, Ma’an Heritage Trail

Goals

The Local Partnership for Tourism Development aims to:  

Enhance, stimulate, and expand the involvement of local communities in the tourism sector by utilizing the local environment and terrain.

Create positive job opportunities, generate income, and support youth-led enterprises in Ma’an and Dead Sea communities. 

Develop a sustainable and replicable approach to local tourism development. 

Foster integration between private sector businesses and communities by establishing mutually-beneficial linkages, partnerships, and shared values.

Quick facts
  • The Local Partnership for Tourism  Development project, also known as “SHAMS” (which means “sun” in Arabic), is a collaborative effort between Partners for Good and local communities in the Ma’an Governorate and Southern Shouneh in the Dead Sea area. These regions have some of Jordan’s highest unemployment rates, particularly among women and youth.
  • In the Ma’an  Governorate, the project supported local organizations in establishing:
  1. The Ma’an Heritage Trail (Al Basateen Al Shamiyah) in the  northern part of Ma’an city.
  2. Bait Al Alia Camp (traditional Bedouin camp) in Al Husseiniya city.
  3. Al Alia Track (camel racetrack) in Al Jafer.
  4. Brri Herbals (herbal products) in Al Ashari.
  • In the Dead Sea area, local organizations, in partnership with Partners for Good, have created:
  1. Dar Al Shouneh “Jordanian Village Experience (a traditional cultural experience) in Southern Shouneh.
  2. Shouneh Products (locally-produced jams, sun-dried tomatoes, and sauces) in Southern Shouneh.
  3. Rama Compost (organic compost facility).
  • This project celebrates and leverages the unique culture and heritage of these areas, placing local values and biodiversity at the core of the development process.
  • Nearly 600 women and youth have enhanced their skills and income thanks to this project. In 2022, over 400 tourists visited Dar Al Shouneh, and more than 1,500 jars of jam, pizza sauce, and sundried tomatoes were produced and sold through partnerships with the private sector.
Activities

Dead Sea area: Project objectives in the Dead Sea area will be achieved through the following activities:

Creation of a distinctive hospitality facility

Empowerment of local community women and farmers

Addressing social and environmental impact

Engaging the local community

Creation of a distinctive hospitality facility

Our vision is to establish a hospitality facility that stands apart from conventional five-star hotels. This facility will authentically recreate the ambiance of Jordanian homes and villages, infusing them with local heritage, while maintaining the high standards of service and amenities found in upscale hotels. The initiative will enable local communities to actively participate in the economic benefits generated by tourist foot traffic to the Dead Sea.

Empowerment of local community women and farmers

This component aims to integrate local community women and farmers into high-end hotel and food retail supply chains. Fresh produce will be transformed into long-lasting products, including sun-dried tomatoes, jam, and tomato sauce. All products will adhere to stringent packaging and labeling standards associated with high-end hospitality.

Addressing social and environmental impact

We will enhance the project’s social and environmental impact through partnerships with hotels. Excess food generated from hotel buffets and banquets will be systematically assessed, processed, and distributed to benefit impoverished and vulnerable families, thereby minimizing food waste.

Engaging the local community

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Activities

Dead Sea area: Project objectives in the Dead Sea area will be achieved through the following activities:

Our vision is to establish a hospitality facility that stands apart from conventional five-star hotels. This facility will authentically recreate the ambiance of Jordanian homes and villages, infusing them with local heritage, while maintaining the high standards of service and amenities found in upscale hotels. The initiative will enable local communities to actively participate in the economic benefits generated by tourist foot traffic to the Dead Sea.

This component aims to integrate local community women and farmers into high-end hotel and food retail supply chains. Fresh produce will be transformed into long-lasting products, including sun-dried tomatoes, jam, and tomato sauce. All products will adhere to stringent packaging and labeling standards associated with high-end hospitality.

We will enhance the project’s social and environmental impact through partnerships with hotels. Excess food generated from hotel buffets and banquets will be systematically assessed, processed, and distributed to benefit impoverished and vulnerable families, thereby minimizing food waste.

 This component seeks to actively involve local community-based organizations (CBOs), artists, craftspeople, and other productive individuals and groups in a series of rotating cultural, heritage, and folklore events. These events will be hosted periodically in different hotels, providing economic opportunities to local community participants while enriching the tourist and leisure offerings at the Dead Sea hotels.

Ma’an Governorate: The project’s core model for the Ma’an Governorate centers around four key activities,  harnessing the unique local environment to create desert-themed tourism activities and opportunities:

  • Desert tourism and heritage kitchen camp: We will establish a desert tourism and heritage kitchen camp to meet the growing demand for desert tourism facilities in Ma’an. This initiative will not only create employment opportunities for local youth and women but also enrich tourism offerings in the region.
  • Sustainable Bedouin tourism offerings and festivals: Leveraging the popularity of the Bedouin camel race in Jordan, Gulf countries, and other Arab nations, the project will support target beneficiaries in incorporating this attraction into tourism offerings and festivals within Ma’an governorate. This ensures a sustainable source of income and economic vitality.
  • Empowering women and youth through biodiversity and herbal products initiative: We will unlock the untapped potential in Ma’an’s biodiversity and herbal products for local community youth and women. This initiative aims to empower them to produce, package, and market herbs, transforming them into valuable oils. These products will target various marketing channels and outlets within Jordan and abroad.
  • Showcasing Ma’an’s heritage, biodiversity, and natural beauty: Our goal is to raise awareness of Ma’an’s rich heritage, history, biodiversity, terrain, and natural desert beauty. This component aims to increase recognition and capitalize on missed opportunities for local communities in tourism value creation.

Partners

 

  • Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan
  • Governorate of Ma’an
  • Governorate of Balqa
  • Greater Ma’an municipality
  • Husseiniya municipality
  • Southern Shouneh municipality
  • Sweimeh municipality
  • Greening the Desert Project
  • Bi’r al-Shamiya Agricultural Cooperative
  • Robo’ Al Badia Association
  • Al-Jawhara Association for the Revival of Tourist Heritage
  • Al-Ash’ari Association
  • Al Rawda Association for Social Development
  • Al Odwan Agriculture Cooperative
  • Jordan Valley Development and Reconstruction Association
  • Hilton Dead Sea Resort and Spa
  • Mövenpick Resort and Spa Dead Sea
  • The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
  • Food and Drug Administration
  • National Center for Agricultural Research
  • Octa
  • We
  • Discover Circle
  • Souq Fann
  • Rawabi Farah
  • Zikra
  • Sitti
Approach

Our development approach revolves around the seamless integration of local communities into the tourism value chain. We leverage tourist influx to unearth hitherto unexplored opportunities for job creation, economic empowerment, and skill-based entrepreneurship. This holistic strategy unfolds across both the Ma’an Governorate and the Dead Sea area, with a strong emphasis on preserving and promoting the cultural heritage and biodiversity of these regions.

Our process involved a meticulous analysis of stakeholders and local communities to evaluate existing locations, infrastructure, and potential. Identifying construction requirements was pivotal, and we prioritized engaging local contractors and skilled laborers. Through a series of capacity-building workshops, we imparted invaluable knowledge to local youth, women, and community organizations, covering areas such as hospitality standards, food safety, business management, and marketing. Our dedicated project team continues to provide unwavering support, ensuring the sustainability and ultimate success of our endeavors. Leveraging strategic partnerships, we effectively market project components through diverse channels, including social media, online platforms, and collaborations with renowned organizations such as Souq Fann, Viavii, Trip Advisor, and Sitti.

 

Contact

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