The Impacts of Tourism Development on the Archaeological Site of Petra and Local Communities in Surrounding Villages

Sultan N. Abu Tayeh,Mairna Hussein Mustafa

doi:10.5539/ass.v7n8p88

Abstract

This paper aims at exploring the different impacts of tourism development on the site of Petra in Jordan, also the perceptions of local community in Petra regarding these impacts. Although of the economic benefits gained by tourism, deterioration has been witnessed in this ancient city since damage to features of the archaeological site as well as adapting negative values by the local community took place. This paper sheds the light on these impacts, and presents some suggested implications to achieve a more sustainable tourism development in the site.

Highlights

The great Nabataean capital and commercial center is carved in the red sandstone, Petra is located just outside the town of Wadi Musa in southern Jordan, with a distance of 260 kilometers from Amman via the Desert Highway and 280 kilometers via the King’s Highway
This paper aims at exploring the different impacts of tourism development on the site of Petra in Jordan, the perceptions of local community in Petra regarding these impacts
The Bedul were concentrated in a very density settlement, their goat herding from the village increases the pressure on the already-depleted rangelands immediately around Petra, and so more people got involved in the tourist trade to compensate for economic losses in other areas and to support a growing population, many of these people realize the advantages of Umm Siehoun settlement, but they want to keep settling in their tribal lands and to have more involvement in tourism development (Kooring and Simms 1996)

Summary

Tourism Impacts

There are some potential economic, sociocultural and environmental impacts that are affecting the future of the site in the absence of a sustainable management plan for it. This paper is aiming at exploring these impacts, suggesting implications to reduce negative effects caused by tourism development

Economic Impacts

Environmental Impacts

Socio-cultural Impacts

Local and International Efforts to Reduce Negative Tourism Impacts in Petra

Findings

Discussion and Conclusion