IT Project to Enhance Tourism in Wadi Rum
A one-year project aiming to serve as a business incubator and develop the IT capabilities of local communities in the Wadi Rum area commenced this month. The project is being launched by the USAID-funded Siyaha project, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and the Wadi Rum Protected Area management. The “Wadi Rum Information Technology Network,” which will be implemented by Netcorps Jordan (NCJ), is a 12-month IT and community tourism development project that aims to increase economic opportunities from tourism for local communities in the Wadi Rum area. This will be achieved by building the capacities of entrepreneurs and cooperatives by providing them with professional and business skills as well as information and communication technology (ICT) tools to enhance their performance, and provide and promote quality products and services. The IT project will recruit and train 20 young men and women from the local community, who will be equipped to support IT and tourism development activities. The grant will also cover the development of tourism-related curricula, basic IT training for the community, cooperatives’ capacity building, and project incubation. The IT project will strengthen marketing and managerial capabilities of tourism-related enterprises. Tourism is a major source of income for communities in Wadi Rum, and the local cooperatives provide many tourism services, including camping, guiding, 4x4 desert tours, camel treks, Bedouin cultural experiences, and more.
NetCorps Jordan’s proven methodology enables entrepreneurs to boost their sales, as has been shown in other projects in Jordan. One such example is the pilot project that was implemented in Zarqa by 20 interns. The project aimed to provide the target beneficiaries with IT-related knowledge and skills, as well as building the capacities of these 34 individuals from 23 small and medium enterprises, with a focus on enhancing their Sales Management.
In reference to the IT project, Mr. Emile Cubeisy, Chairman of NCJ Board, stated, "By utilizing the power of ICT tools coupled with the energy and potential of youth, economic opportunities can be created through improved marketing, better business management and improved life skills such as leadership, communications and research."
Eric Johnson, USAID's Private Enterprise Office, also commented on the initiative, saying, "This is more than an IT Project. As a business incubator, it is an important catalyst for creating new micro and small entrepreneurial ventures, and will help cooperative members, from camp owners to guides, improve their product offerings and promote them to tour operators and tourists."
Worth noting is that three IT centers will be established at the Wadi Rum Visitor Center and cooperatives. An agreement between Siyaha and the Arab Bank will also support the main incubation center by the Arab Bank’s donation of 12 new computers. Through these IT centers, NetCorps Jordan will engage 20 youth paid interns for 10 months and will train over 300 people in IT and business skills resulting in new and improved tourism-related products and services.
A ceremony will be held early next month to officially mark the launch of the project and signing of the agreement. The total cost of the project is JD211,000, of which the Siyaha awarded NCJ a grant in the amount of JD141,500 to implement the project.
About NetCorps JordanNetCorps Jordan was established in June 2005 as an independent non-profit company with the support of USAID and CISCO. NCJ implements pioneering community development programs that combine the potential of youth and the practical utilization of ICT tools and skills to create real and sustainable economic and social development impact in Jordan.
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