Eco Tourism Spreads Across the Middle East
The Middle East is an attractive spot for tourists. It has something for everybody. In Israel, there are holy sites relevant to people of the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Baha’i faiths. In Egypt, there are the pyramids and other impressive ancient sites. Jordan has Petra. And even if sightseeing is their thing, lots of Westerners come for the warm wonderful weather.
A new type of tourism has been sweeping all over the Middle East lately, though. Eco-tourism.
Eco-tourism is a type of tourism that both preserves natural habitats and eco-systems as well as exercising sustainable tourism. Meaning, tourists can enjoy natural wonders without harming them.
Green Prophet, a website based in Israel which hopes to foster an environmentally friendly future of Israel, its neighbors, and beyond, has been surveying some of the eco-tourism options in the region. Here’s a recap of what they’ve found:
Israel: There are a lot of organic and environmentally guesthouses in Israel where you can learn about organic farming and waste-free living. These include the Lotan Center for Creative Ecology near Eilat and Bein Haruv Lezait in the western Galilee. Tourists can also volunteer on organic farms all over the country in exchange for room and board through the Israeli branch of World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.
Jordan: Jordan has a variety of eco-tourism options, ranging from tour operator companies that specialize in sustainable tourism to full blown eco lodges. Terhaal Eco Adventure offers a variety of outdoor activities that highlight Jordan’s natural sites, and so does Baobab - an alternative eco-tourism company. The Feynan Lodge, developed by Jordan’s Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, is an eco paradise in the middle of the desert which demonstrates sustainable living methods.
Lebanon: Lebanon also has a wide variety of options, with the highlight being the Lebanon Mountain Trail - a 440 kilometer path leading from the north to the south of the country that passes through multiple natural reserves and small villages. The Eco Village in Lebanon’s Dmit Valley allows tourists to participate in organic farming and environmentally friendly activities such as mud hut construction. TLB Destinations and Blue Carrot Adventures offer eco tourism trips all over Lebanon.
I’d love to hear more about other eco-tourism options in the Middle East. Any noteworthy spots in Syria? Turkey? Saudi Arabia?
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And if you consider Iran part of ME, it has a host of opportunities: Mediterranean climate of north parts; desert tourism of East and Southern East (most notably Yazd… you know, some famous Israelis belong to it); and green mountains of west.
Thanks Mohammad - Iran sounds beautiful. Are there any specific eco tourism groups or spots you can recommend?
This is really cool. Tourism, if you think about it, is a great tool for peace. It promotes cultural exchange, economic opportunity, historical and identity preservation and natural harmony. Great post!
Karen:
Ecotourism is a relatively new idea in Iran and I’m afraid if there is not an organized effort (such as yours) to promote it right now. National Ecotourism Committee is established, though it might take some time for it to run national-level projects. And some non-governmental sites try to introduce possible ecotourism spots, such as this one.
Meanwhile, there are some established procedures for ecotourists: many travel agencies offer special eco-tours, for example to northern parts of Iran or Yazd.
However, professional ecotourists constitute the main source of ecotourism information. For example, we (I and my wife) have decided to spend two weeks in summer in a northern village. I asked several people, and they offered a relatively detailed description: possible destinations, prices, availability of house/room for rent, some pics, etc.
People are eager to spend some time out of metropolitan areas. Therefore some local ecotourism destinations have come into existence. For example, you may find several villages out of Isfahan (our city) which are relatively well-equipped for a 1-2 week stay. Villagers are increasingly getting aware of this possible source of income, thus try to make a better destination.
I hope that while Ahmadinejad is busy f**king Iran and probably the region as a whole, local efforts provide a proper infrastructure within a decade or so.
There are some amazing places in Turkey — treehouses and butterfly reserves; sleeping in caves in Capadocia. The public transport system there is extremely advanced and it’s even possible to pitch a tent on the beach.
Syria has castles which are a must to see and ancient archeology sites. It’s special because the area is relatively undeveloped making for an authentic experience. Also mini-buses, like in Israel can be caught around Syria with ease.
[…] Eco Tourism Spreads Across the Middle EastGreen Prophet, a website based in Israel which hopes to foster an environmentally friendly future of Israel, its neighbors, and beyond, has been surveying some of the eco-tourism options in the region. Here’sa recap of what they’ve … […]
[…] 2008 Israeli environmental website Green Prophet recently brought our attention to the variety of eco tourism options in the Middle East - specifically in Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan. But those eco tours are […]