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Sustainable Destination Management

Strategies in the OIC Member Countries

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Corridor Planning and Establishment

In terms of theme formulation and asset identification, in Egypt, the Ministry of Tourism, in

cooperation with the Coptic Church, researched the Holy Family sites to decide which should

be included in the TC. The Coptic Church formed a committee of bishops to draft a map of the

sites visited by the Holy Family during their journey through Egypt. Currently, the Ministry of

Tourism is preparing to apply to UNESCO to designate some of the TC sites as World Heritage

Sites.

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In terms of infrastructure assessment and development, in Egypt, the government has worked

on improving the road network connecting the Holy Family sites. It has set a three-phase plan

to improve accessibility to the corridor and has allocated $3.5 million to improve the

infrastructure in the first phase.

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In Jordan, the government has worked on facilitating

convenient transportation and providing the necessary services to receive all Christian

denominations, visitors, and pilgrims from all over the world.

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Marked paths and trails link

accommodation facilities to the core archeological area. Shuttle buses are also provided for

tourists going to and from the sites.

Corridor Governance and Management

In terms of governance structure, in Egypt, the Tourism Development Authority is responsible

for the coordination between the various government bodies that work together to manage and

promote the corridor, including the Ministry of Antiquities, the Ministry of Tourism, and the

Ministry of Local Development. The archaeological sites fall under the supervision of the

Ministry of Antiquities. In Jordan, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Jordan

Tourism Board (JTB) collaborate in the management and promotion of the MDTC sites.

Although several agreements were signed in late 2016 between Egypt and Jordan for the

development of the trail, there is currently no joint formal organization overseeing the MDTC.

In terms of collaboration with stakeholders, in Egypt, several government bodies, such as the

Ministry of Antiquities, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Tourism Development Authority,

cooperate with non-governmental organizations such as the “Revival of the Egyptian Heritage

Society” as well as the Coptic Church. In Jordan, development agencies and donors have played

a crucial role in supporting the Holy Family sites.

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In terms of travel facilitation, there is currently no cooperation in the area between corridor

countries. Many tourism agencies organize tours over three countries, with tourists applying

for visas for each country separately. Due to the political and security situations in the corridor

countries, it is difficult to envision a unified visa for the corridor.

In terms of capacity building, in Egypt, the government is planning hospitality and language

training for local communities in Upper Egypt, to enable them to provide tourism services for

tourists visiting the Holy Family sites. The fact that the Holy Family sites are located in areas

that are economically disadvantaged will help create better employment opportunities for local

542

Marc Espanol, "Egypt to Boost Spiritual Tourism through the Holy Family Trail," Al-Monitor, last modified May 31, 2019,

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/05/holy-trail-in-egypt-boosted.html.

543

Ibid.

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"Search," Amon News, accessed October 13, 2019,

https://www.ammonnews.net/search.

545

"Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities.," MOTA, last modified October 13, 2019,

https://www.mota.gov.jo/Default.aspx.