Ecotourism is a major trend with a growing demand for consumers for packages which offer responsible travel to natural areas, conservation of the environment, and improvement of the well-being of local people. The Mediterranean area is one of the most interesting regions in the world in terms of ecotourism potential. The high diversity of landscapes and ecosystems together with the unique socio-economic and cultural mosaic provide suitable conditions for the development of ecotourism.
Photo: IUCN ROWA
In order to encourage the diversification of tourism offered and a better seasonal distribution of tourism flows, the Mediterranean Experience of Ecotourism (MEET) project aims to improve the sustainability and the rationalization in distribution of the tourism sector in the Mediterranean region. In the framework of cross-border cooperation within the European Neighborhood Policy Instrument (ENPI Med), under the strategic line “Promoting the sustainable tourism for the socio-economic development and enhancement of territories”, this strategic project involves 10 countries of the Mediterranean: (Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Greece, Lebanon, Jordan and Tunisia).
IUCN ROWA organized an interpretation and Eco-Tourism training gathered twenty four Tour Leaders, Guides and Local Tour Operators from Lebanon, Greece, Italy, Spain, Jordan, France and Tunisia in Azraq Lodge, Jordan on March 15-16th 2015.
The main goal of the training is to train the participants on the Ecotourism Management and how to use the interpretive techniques to foster the positive visitors’ attitudes towards the conservation of nature. The training was conducted by Drumm consulting Firm represented by “Arnaldo Rodriguez” who transferred the knowledge and experience on participants and provided them with the essential materials for a successful ecotourism management and interpretation. The trainer integrated the sustainable ecotourism knowledge and experiences from around the world with the aims specific to MEET project and its target markets.
For more information, kindly contact:
Dr. Hany el Shaer - Protected Areas, Biodiversity & World Heritage Programme Manager at:
Hany.elshaer@iucn.org
Or
Lubna Qaryouti, Project Coordinator at:
Lubna.qaryouti @iucn.org
