Jitoa organizes clean-up campaign in Petra

This cleanup campaign came as a continuation of the strategic plan set by the committee who worked on establishing this social initiative, from the public and private sector, including Ministry of Environment, and Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

Around 500 volunteers participated in the Petra Cleanup Campaign from local schools at Wadi Mousa, who cleaned up the little Petra (Al Beidha) area and other from hotels staff. Tourist groups also were involved in the campaign while entering the Petra Archeological Park, and they were provided reusable trash bags that they can place on their waist to be able to collect trash while their walk in Petra City, and return them back on the way out from the visitor's center.

The initiative is organized to call for arranging awareness programs and organizing regular cleanup campaigns in touristic areas all through the year, and creating committees in each area to organize and follow up with concerned parties. The committees will work closely with related organizations and supporters of the initiative to find effective solutions for the littering problem and help in changing the bad practice of picnickers, in addition to establishing a treasury box for collecting donations from interested organizations.

This campaign will not only focus on cleaning the area from trash, but raising awareness about the littering problem at the Petra Archaeological Park and preserving Petra the red-rose city that is one of the most visited places in the Middle East region.

Sponsors of the campaign from public and private sector are , USAID/Jordan Tourism Development Project II, Petra Hotel Association, Petra Region Authority, Petra Heritage Revival Office, Al Rawahel Owners Association, Beit Al Anbat Society, Princess Alia Brook Hospital for Animals, Petra Moon Services, Petra by Night, Petra Kitchen, Jordan Tours Travel and Tourism, Zaatarah & Co. Tourist & Travel Agency, Dakkak Tours International, Amani Tours, Crown Plaza Hotel Petra, Mövenpick Hotel Petra, Beit Zaman Hotel, Petra Marriott Hotel, SADDA Marketing, Petra Panorama Hotel, Jordan Beauty Tours, Sukhtian Group (Higeen), Sama Water, Coca Cola.

It's worth mentioning that the initiative involves a long term strategic plan to eliminate the trash visitors observe at and between touristic sites. A key component of the plan is to change the culture to an anti-littering mindset, working to change the behavior of Jordanians through environmental awareness campaigns supported by the media and the educational system. On the other hand, this initiative is prepared to help local communities produce eco-friendly products and handicrafts made from recycled material which will also create new job opportunities for them.