WADI MUSA - High entry fees and low-quality of service topped tourists' complaints on recent visits to Petra, while authorities said preparations are under way to upgrade facilities at the site.
Walking in the Siq after finishing his tour in the rose-red city, J. Kemmes from Belgium said he enjoyed the experience, but "for the JD50 I paid as an entry fee, I expected better services".
"I had a great time, but it is difficult to pay high prices for poor amenities," he told The Jordan Times, adding that such "a pleasant place" should have better services to attract more visitors.
E. Geneugden, another tourist, echoed the same comments.
"All we want is for them to provide the return transport, whether a cable car or another short trail to walk through," the Belgian tourist said, noting that the only good service she noted was the availability of water closets throughout the Petra reserve.
However, Geneugden, who came to Petra from the Dead Sea where she was staying, noted that there was a lack of signage for motorists who drive from the Dead Sea to Petra.
"There weren't enough signs from the Dead Sea to Petra. There were many routes with no signage," Geneugden noted.
Both Kemmes and Geneugden believe entry fees should be lower.
"It is better to reduce the price, because everything in the area is very expensive, even hotels and food," Kemmes said, adding that for Europeans "it is cheaper to go to the Mediterranean".
For Ilias Georgiadis, however, all the services were adequate, except for the WCs and a lack of diversity in souvenirs.
"I think the toilets should be cleaner, and there should be a variety of souvenirs. They are all the same," the Greek tourist told The Jordan Times.
Eid Nawafleh, an investor who owns travel agencies and restaurants in Wadi Musa agreed that the facilities at the site should be improved, "because visitors expect better facilities for the money they pay".
"Last year, the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) raised the entry fee to provide better amenities for tourists. However nothing was introduced except more toilets and these are considered below the required level," Nawafleh said.
He noted that the new facilities were supposed to be introduced in March 2011 and they included providing tourists with a guide, a bus to transport them from the end of Petra to the entrance, and a souvenir for each tourist, "but none of these suggestions were implemented".
Meanwhile, Mohammad Abu Ghanam, chief commissioner of PDTRA, told The Jordan Times that preparations are under way for implementing all the new services.
"We provide almost all the necessary services for tourists, except the ride back that is expected to start next month," he said, adding that launching the back ride service was delayed to obtain UNESCO approval.
"UNESCO remarked that the new buses should be environment friendly and we are working on that," the commissioner explained.
He noted that the new visitor's centre is currently under construction and will be finished by the end of this year.
© Jordan Times 2011
