Monther M. JAMHAWI | Zain A. HAJAHJAH
(Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan)
Keywords: Innovation, Madaba, Cultural heritage, Sustainable Tourism
Abstract:
This research discusses an investigative study into the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for sustainable tourism development of the historical core of Madaba; one of the most important cultural and heritage tourism destinations of Jordan. It evaluate the effectiveness of ICT usage within this heritage site, through making an assessment for 11 dimensions including community involvement/social aspect of heritage site and link to ICT, ICT usage within heritage site; online presence, ICT Support of heritage attraction to employees in ICT related work, Level of ICT presence in heritage sites, Sharing of Information Electronically, E-COMMERCE, ICT ONLINE, and Technology for heritage interpretation, etc. This study was based on applying quantitative research methodology, using structured questionnaires, which were conducted for most of the relevant stakeholders in order to get a better understanding for the ICT situation in Madaba. The results shows that using ICT technologies in the city of Madaba were not viewed as a tool neither for tourism management nor to deliver the visitors experience.
Accordingly, an interactive Virtual Tour 360° HD was designed including an online website and mobile application (presenting the output of this technology will be part of the lecture). The main objective of designing these tours is to offer new ways to interact with the target groups that are the tourist that visit this region, meanwhile, to transfer of advanced technologies for the cities integrated management. A web GIS Map was produced as part of these tours.
Two workshops were organized with general public to raise their awareness and appreciation of cultural heritage and the contribution of technology in presenting it. The participants were offered an opportunity to use these technologies. Then an open discussion was carried out to evaluate the impact of this applied technology on their experience in visiting Madaba.
This research was supported by an EU funded project “Promoting socio-economic sustainable development through innovative technological actions for Mediterranean tourism-heritage and landscapes protection clusters– HELAND
The HELAND Project is co-funded by the ENPI CBC MED Programme. The 2007-2013 ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme is a multilateral Cross-Border Cooperation initiative funded by the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). The Programme objective is to promote the sustainable and harmonious cooperation process at the Mediterranean Basin level by dealing with the common challenges and enhancing its endogenous potential. It finances cooperation projects as a contribution to the economic, social, environmental and cultural development of the Mediterranean region. The following 14 countries participate in the Programme: Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Palestine, Portugal, Spain, Syria (participation currently suspended), Tunisia. The Joint Managing Authority (JMA) is the Autonomous Region of Sardinia (Italy). Official Programme languages are Arabic, English and French. The project is being implemented from August 2012 to December 2015.