This article forms part of a series of publications under MEDUSA project’s “Mediterranean sub-grant Adventure Tourism Competition” which aims at catalyzing the creation of new innovative adventure tourism products and experiences and upgrading existing products in our partner territories Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Puglia (Italy) and Catalonia (Spain).

Enjoy reading and hope to welcome you soon at one of the wonderful places you will get to know here.      

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, MEDUSA project’s partner in Jordan, awarded Baraka Destinations the MEDUSA Sub-Grant. Located in Jordan, Baraka Destinations was created to partner with local communities in secondary tourism sites and together design and build tourism experiences that showcase their hometown to curious travelers. Baraka Destinations works in areas often forgotten by tourists, gives them the opportunity to get to know the hidden gems that most would miss.

Barka Destinations offers a variety of sports and cultural activities that shed the light on the history of the region. The sports activities include nine hiking routes, some of which are unguided, in the Um Qais and Pella areas and six guided bike trails of the region. As for cultural experiences, Baraka Destinations engaged experienced local beekeepers to provide a unique experience in Um Qais to uncover the fascinating behavior of honeybees. Also, guests can visit the home of a local chef and discover the recipes of some of the region’s most known traditional dishes. Finally, visitors have the opportunity to learn the century old tradition of basket weaving with a local artist who teaches them the skills necessary to create your very own basket or coaster.

Ruba Hannun, CEO of Baraka Destinations gave us a more insight on Baraka Destinations and its future plans. Hannun has been in the adventure tourism industry for a long time. She started working in this sector on the field, which gave her a realistic picture of the process of developing adventure tourism products. She learned from her experiences and many adventure tourism experts. Hannun believes that adventure tourism enhances the values of excitement. Also, adventure and interaction with nature and places, gives tourists and visitors a sense of challenge and achievement, and it also strengthens the relationship between human beings and nature.

What she liked most about the MEDUSA project is that it gives attention to the practical aspect of developing a realistic, successful and sustainable project, and provides a wide intellectual space that gives the beneficiaries the opportunity to develop diverse and distinctive projects. Having won the grant, Hannun feels happy, enthusiastic mixed and a sense of responsibility and optimism. Baraka Destinations is wasting no time: “We have started studying our project on the ground and we are ready to start the project.”