Coexistent Tourism A P ro je ct p r o p o s a l f o r t h e re no v a ti o n o f A l - H a y V i ll a ge i n W a d i Mu s a P re se nte d to T h e P e t ra De v e l o p m e n t & T o u ri sm R egi o n A u th o ri ty . A u th o r o f T h e I d e a : F a wa z H a s s a na t
The idea In the free English dictionary, coexistence is defined as: “ the ability to exist in the same place and at the same time , in total harmony despite differences in ideologies or interests.” So to be simple the term Co-existent tourism is a sector of tourism where by the relationship between the tourist and the local citizen is both a beneficial and a m u t u a l l y a d v a n t ag e o u s relationship. A more symbiotic kind of bond is at the heart of this kind of tourism. Thereby the special idea behind coexistent tourism, is that both parties benefit from e a c h o t h e r a n d e n ha n c e each others experience t h r o u gh a u n i q u e k i n d of service .
I have lived the better half of my entire life in the “Rose City ” I have met its people and walked and climbed along it edges always with the intensions of seeking that ancient south Jordanian mountain range sunset. I am writing this as an insider , as a modern day citizen of the timeless city of Petra, my name is Fawaz Hassanat and I believe that the truth about Jordan is that , it’s economy and its financial wellbeing has always largely depended on the tourism industry .Tourism in Jordan, not only is a major source of income to many families across the country but also happens to be one of the most important, If not the most fundamental of sectors , that drive and interfere with health of the economy. The relationship between the two has been proven deeply specially during the last few years, when the whole region was experiencing radically constitutional and political turbulence . Maybe it’s the political instability in the region, or perhaps it is the shifting clouds of financial insecurity that has been casting a grey shadow on the country ever since. The after math and the spell casted on the tourism industry in Jordan has been a disturbing reality ever since. To me, the truth always reveals its self through numbers , recent statistics and studies done by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) exposed the distressing truth. The United Nations published a study know as the “ World Tourism Barometer Study”: a publication that includes a ranking system of all the countries in comparison with one another, concerning their annual number of international tourist arrivals and the revenue generated by the tourism industry . I was shocked when I saw the rankings in there publication, my chance to see the numbers was actually the moment I was able to put together and understand , how wretched the tourism situation is in Jordan. I Mean Turkey came at a whooping 39 million international tourists at arrivals. That same year Saudi Arabia had 13 million international tourists at arrival , The United Arab Emirate and Egypt had 9 million international tourists each .While Morocco had 10 million international tourists and Tunisia had 6 million . It was heart aching to see that Jordan lies at the bottom of that list with 3 million International tourists at arrival only. It is heart aching because I know my country is as beautiful as any other, so that perplexed and wounded me even more.
Tourism in Jordan used to be anything but ordinary , anything but static , the country enjoys a very unique geography and is in rich in culture and history. The tourism industry here encompasses a wide array of services and sectors. Like many countries, here in Jordan we have many types and styles of tourism, however our major tourist attractions include archaeological and historical tourism sites, like the worldwide famous Petra (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985), the Jordan River and Mount Nebo . Also religious and cultural tourism is a considerable part of the annual load, as there is numerous medieval mosques and churches, and unspoiled natural locations for experiencing that spiritual awe of a timeless place. Jordan is also one of the leading countries in health tourism, which is one of the proud attributes of the countries excellent medical care services and state of the art clinics that span both the private and governmental sectors of Jordan’s health care industry . With all these wonderful aspects to the countries tourism potential you cant help but wonder how did it all go wrong ? How the entangled relationship is so clearly outlined, the downfall in the countries economic status and the descent of the annual international arrivals . I truly believe that our economy and our tourism industry don't just couple each other rather yet, they drive and fuel one another. That is common sense because we now know how vital tourism has proven to be in the over all well being of the country’s economic grounds . To conclude I am a proactive man, I don't waste my time talking about the problem as much as I spend working on ways to fix it and bypass it. I am writing this proposal as part of my plan to present to you a whole new dimension to the countries tourism industry, to help the ongoing crisis and heal the economy slowly. With the many kinds of tourism sectors in Jordan , I should mention that we still lack a very new and promising kind of tourism known as Co-existent tourism . So to be simple, the term Co-existent tourism is a sector of tourism where by the relationship between the tourist and the local citizen is both a beneficial and a mutually advantageous relationship, a more symbiotic kind of bond becomes at the heart of this kind of business sector. That why I am writing this proposal to shed some understanding on the idea behind coexistent tourism, through the erection of a original and new coexistent tourism village in the north of Wadi Musa. This Idea I present to The Petra Development & Tourism Region Authority, is my own way of trying to wake up the world, to let all eyes turn our way and realize that Jordan has always been, and will always be an undiscovered beauty.
Al-Hay is a town north of Wadi Mousa literally known as ‘Valley of Moses’ which is located in the Ma'an governorate in southern Jordan. Wadi Mousa also happens to be the nearest town to the archaeological site of Petra. In the late 1970’s all the inhabitants of Al –Hay left the village which used to be an important Bedouin settlement before its exile. Even though the village was in perfect condition, a sustainable community with its own water, electricity and real estate infrastructure . Houses made out of mud and stone the have been erected on a valley suspended between two mountains , like the picture you see above. The citizens of left, the now deserted, town known as Al-Hay because of the severe changes in the annual rainfall and to add to the drastic changes in climate, the westernization and the modernized lifestyle trends that were making their way to the all the rural communities. Ofcourse the economic situation didn't help and neither did the ongoing inflation in the economy, which all resulted in driving all the people out of Al-Hay in search of better jobs and life opportunities at the nearest administrative city center which is Wadi Musa.
Al Hay was placed on a hilltop with a very good view of the surrounding area over Petra mountains. In this way they were able to quickly see friends or enemies who had arrived. The reason why I chose Al-Hay for the site and location for this new Co-existent tourism project its because its perfect to fulfill the (UNESCO) agreement of preserving and enriching the true Bedouin experience in any kind of tourism in Jordan . Not only does the coexistent tourism ensure of that but it also can be the place where the real meaning of coexistence can take place and prosper. By investing into Al-Hay village we will be able to provide opportunities for its old inhabitants to come back and watch their old town flourish again, in addition to the many job opportunities that will be created within the project. It is true, I mean this land has been a witness to various civilizations such as the ancient Nabateans, Romans ,and biggest of Arabic tribes AL-Alyathneh & AL-Obaidyeh. This land has captured ancient travelers and wonderers from all around the world . I have the full confidence that with the proper investment and careful planning and management , it will once again have the potential to enchant a whole new generation of tourists and visitors . I would not be writing this, or wasting my time or yours if I don't believe in this place and the positive changes it can bring to the community. This kind of tourism is so unique and its real treasure totally rests in the experience of the tourist.
Our Vision :
The general idea behind this project is to bring back life to Al– Hay Village, to properly invest and renovate the old village so that it can be turned into a new tourist village where people from all over the world would come to explore and learn about the true Bedouin way of living. The tourist will live sleep and eat for one whole week with the Arabic Bedouin families as they join them in their day to day activities in a place where they can get red of any modern technologies and just be tuned with the natural enigma of the place . Tourists will be able to stay for a longer period of time in our magical country as they indulge in an unforgettable experience of spending time away from civilization and modern day burdens as they take part in ancient Bedouin activities' and daily rituals For once this new coexistence tourism will be able to benefit both the visitor and the community being visited . As it will offer poor families from Petra who got no chance to get a job or work in the tourism business which we all know very well now that it used to be considered a main source of income for many. By this program we create the chance for many of the families that left Al –Hay to comeback and improve their living circumstances in a whole new kind of tourism project. I hope that I am able to clearly have drawn a picture of our vision of coexistence tourism in the village of AlHay.
The special idea behind our vision is that the tourists will be finally able to see for them selves how the real Arabs are , and our rich and beautiful history , instead of their tinted political stand and opinion on the Arab nation as a whole. So one of our main goals in this project , is to make sure that the tourist gets the full experience of the true essence of what is was like to be Bedouin for one week. In order to do that they must know that people back then were basically farmers growing their own land and breeders of cattle and sheep. As that was the only thing they could do since there was no governmental jobs . So many of the activities on the site will include the following :
King of Comfort Food •By joining the families the tourists will get to help them with the procedure of cooking in the ancient traditional ways. Cooking back in the day used to take place in a stone pit under the ground, where the heat slowly cooks all kinds of things. Many of these meals are : Sharak bread, mansaf ,Rashof, Mjlalah, Madgoga. Which are all a very new kind of food and exotic way of cooking to our visitors .As this picture shows the taboon which is the method used to bake the bread and its heated by natural animal stillage .The tourist will get to harvest the wheat using some traditional equipment's such as scythe only after it to also learn how to bake on metal sheet as the ancient man of the desert did. Like the Ancients the tourist will learn Many processes designed to preserve food . That involve a number of food preservation methods. Preserving fruit by turning it into jam, for example, involves boiling (to reduce the fruit’s moisture content and to kill bacteria, yeasts, etc.), sugaring (to prevent their re-growth) and sealing within an airtight jar (to prevent recontamination). There are many traditional methods of preserving food that limit the energy inputs and reduce carbon footprint .
Accompany The Shepherds This includes a trip with a company of shepherds in al hai or somewhere around it starting from early morning for a certain period of time during the day
Dairy Production The original process for butter making for the Arabs, as we know it, was to use a bag made from goatskin for a churn. The animal was skinned, the skin sewed up tight, with only one small opening where the cream was poured in. The "churn" was then suspended and swung back and forth until the butter separated. A group of goat farmers might consider getting together and contribute milk to a butter making enterprise
Goat Milking by hand When a person or family starts down the path of building resiliency into their lives, many projects and tasks get added to an ever-growing list of things to do. Dairy goats can be an easy-tomanage and enjoyable way to provide fresh milk on a daily basis
A sky full of stars In Al-Hay tourists will be able to come around and warm beside the fire under the vast infinite sea of stars . Tourists will be able to experience the magic of the ancient bedoiun night .Also the tourist will be able to enjoy a full program of bedoun parties and relaxing in the village with traditional Arabic music and Arabic coffee as they sit back and conversate about the things they learned and did together .Not to forget that The sky is the ultimate art gallery just above our heads , and the contemplation of celestial things will make a man both speak and think more sublimely and magnificently when he descends to human affairs.
An Unforgettable experience