Jordan keen to boost eco-tourism

More countries around the world are taking eco-tourism increasingly seriously, as the need to combat climate change becomes more pressing.

People who take a luxury holiday in Jordan in the near future will find a country that is working particularly hard to become even more environmentally-friendly.

Construction has started on the Middle Eastern country's first ever eco-tourism academy, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) has confirmed.

A spokesperson for the organisation told the Jordan Times that the centre will be used to teach rangers about the benefits of eco-tourism and will also serve as a hub for visitors who want to visit major archaeological hotspots such as Petra.

Marketing coordinator at the RSCN Rand Jammal told the news provider that the building work should be completed towards the end of 2012 and the first class of students - many of whom will go on to become rangers at tourist attractions - will be taken in next year.

A number of festivals have also been organised in Jordan this year, including the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts, which gets underway in July.