Jordan: Petra and environs
Score: 59

"Visiting Petra itself was a very positive experience. Accommodations in a budget hotel on the way in were excellent—friendly, family-run with great food. Aesthetically the site is stunning, particularly the initial entry and the views of the monastery as well as from the High Place. There was very little litter about except for horse manure. However, information and interpretation are very weak, even in the museum. There was little visible presence of management in the site itself, even in terms of rangers."

"The hotel developments at the entrance to the Siq have damaged archaeological monuments. Likewise, the roads cut through the monument were not subjected to archaeological assessment in advance. The tatty souvenirs imported from India and Taiwan and sold within the park do not enhance its atmosphere."

"There are ongoing excavations and efforts to conserve and preserve the site and highlight the variety of its archaeological remnants. However, other than at the recently excavated sites, there is no interpretation in regards to the history of Petra. Guides tell stories of the local people who lived in the caves before they were removed."

"Wadi Mousa remains a sprawling mess and new hotels have been allowed on the skyline. Outlook for sustainability is poor. No management plan is in place, there is weak and inconsistent enforcement of regulations, poor staff capacity and little involvement of local people with no incentives to encourage local protection."

"Visitors are given real opportunities to interact with nomadic Bedouin that retain most of the cultural habits that have been developed over many thousands of years."