MADABA - Madaba is set to be the first city completed under the third tourism project, but investors say their future remains "uncertain" as the healthy visitor flow into the mosaic city has yet to translate into steady income.
The initiative, which is designed to promote heritage while encouraging "positive social change", has been working to improve infrastructure and protect historical buildings in Madaba, Salt, Karak, Jerash and Ajloun for the past two years.
The $70 million initiative, funded by the World Bank and the Ministry of Tourism, included a two-year infrastructure overhaul in public spaces in Madaba, with authorities preparing a tender for the construction of an outdoor theatre in the downtown area.
"The idea is to breathe life into the city, make it more appealing for tourists, investors and residents and create jobs for Madaba residents," Ministry of Tourism acting Secretary General Ihab Amarin told The Jordan Times.
A centrepiece to the work is the Ottoman era Saraya Building, formerly a police station, which will host a heritage museum detailing the cultural history of Madaba. With renovation on the building complete, Amarin said the structure is expected to be open this summer, adding that the museum will feature interpretation signage detailing the renovation process.
"The Saraya Building is to stand as an example for Madaba residents to highlight the value of their architectural heritage," he said, stressing that a central tenet of the initiative has been local ownership, with the municipality taking over construction works.
According to Amarin, authorities are considering requiring tour buses to park at the visitor's centre in order to encourage tourists to walk along Artisan Street, and are revisiting traffic management.
The project is currently in its final stages, with ministry and municipal teams working to clean the facades of heritage buildings and remove visual pollution.
The overhaul seems to have paid off as the city has maintained its tourist flow despite the global economic downturn. In 2009, 304,000 tourists visited Madaba, compared to 330,000 in 2008, according to ministry statistics.
According to Amarin, the ministry is also exploring a project to provide entrepreneurs with grants to encourage people to open up tourist businesses. Under the scheme, residents would present their proposals to the ministry and apply for funds.
Although the city's infrastructure has witnessed a transformation, entrepreneurs, many of whom opened their businesses over a year ago, told The Jordan Times they are still awaiting returns on their investments.
Fares Naim, who owns a pizzeria and café on Artisan Street, said he came from Amman to invest in Madaba, attracted by its tourism potential. The construction works created a disruption to his business he claimed, adding that the "make-over" has beautified the city.
"We have all been waiting for Madaba to make it onto the world tourism map, but many foreign tourists who do come don't spend enough time to stop and have coffee or a meal," he said, noting that tour guides "rarely" arrange for their visitors to have lunch at his establishment.
Motaz Sawalha, owner of the revamped Madaba Turkish Hamam, expressed frustration over the lack of parking and the months of construction, adding that he may be forced to close after two years of operation.
In a recent interview, Madaba Mayor Aref Abu Rajouh remained optimistic about the city's future, stressing that investors shouldn't abandon their businesses before the project bears fruit.
"Madaba is being transformed right before our eyes and more and more people want to take part in it," he told The Jordan Times, noting that entrepreneurs are starting up small tourism businesses across the city.
"Madaba is rising," he added.
By Taylor Luck
© Jordan Times 2010
