Description
The Wadi Rum intervention is implemented within the framework of the project “Local Communities and Sustainable Tourism in Petra and Wadi Rum”, financed by the Government of Italy through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and coordinated by UNESCO.
The project focuses on the sustainable conservation and enhancement of the Wadi Rum Protected Area, a World Heritage Site, by integrating heritage preservation with community-based tourism development. In particular, the activities target the rehabilitation and improved presentation of the Nabataean Temple, identified as a priority site for conservation and visitor management.
The intervention is structured around the preparation and implementation of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan, including documentation, condition assessment, Heritage Impact Assessment, and the design of small-scale conservation measures. These include site cleaning, vegetation removal, stabilization of structures, and the development or improvement of visitor trails, signage, and interpretative materials aimed at enhancing site accessibility and interpretation.
A key component of the project is the direct involvement of local communities through cash-for-work activities, enabling residents to actively participate in conservation works while supporting the local tourism-based economy. This approach contributes both to improving site conditions and to strengthening local awareness and capacity in heritage management and sustainable tourism practices.
The project is carried out in close coordination with national stakeholders, primarily the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), which is responsible for the management of the Wadi Rum Protected Area, and the Department of Antiquities of Jordan (DoA), ensuring alignment with national heritage policies and site management frameworks.
Last update
22.04.2026