Students of Field Training Course (3) in Tourist Guiding at Yarmouk University Conduct a Field Visit to Shobak, Little Petra, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba
As part of the requirements of the Field Training Course (3) in the Tourist Guiding program at the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels at Yarmouk University, a field visit was conducted to a number of the most important tourist and archaeological sites in southern Jordan. The visit included Shobak Castle, Little Petra (Al-Beidha), Wadi Rum, and the city of Aqaba, under the supervision of the course instructor, Professor Akram Rawashdeh.
The trip aimed to enhance the practical skills of students and connect theoretical knowledge with field experience. This was achieved by introducing students to the historical, archaeological, and tourism characteristics of the visited sites, as well as developing their interpretation and tourist guiding skills. The students began their tour with a visit to Shobak Castle, one of the most prominent castles in Jordan, where they learned about its history and its strategic and architectural significance throughout different historical periods.
The trip also included a visit to Little Petra (Al-Beidha), which is considered one of the most important Nabataean sites in the Kingdom. There, the students became acquainted with its architectural components and its role in the ancient Nabataean trade network.
In Wadi Rum, the students explored the unique natural and geological features of the site, in addition to learning about its main archaeological and tourist attractions. They were also introduced to its importance as a natural World Heritage Site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and to the opportunities it offers for ecotourism and adventure tourism.
The trip also included a visit to the city of Aqaba, where the students learned about the site of Islamic Ayla, which is considered the first Islamic city established outside the Arabian Peninsula. The site represents significant historical and civilizational importance in the early Islamic period. In addition, the students visited Aqaba Mamluk Castle, where they learned about its history and its role in protecting trade and pilgrimage routes throughout different Islamic periods.
The students emphasized that this trip contributed to enriching their field experience and enhancing their professional skills in the field of tourist guiding. Through the practical application of concepts studied in the classroom, the visit helped prepare qualified tourism professionals capable of presenting Jordan’s cultural and tourism heritage according to the best professional practices.
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Conclusion of field training discussions in the Tourism and Travel Department (1st 2024/2025)
On Sunday, January 26, 2025, the Department of Tourism and Travel at Yarmouk University concluded the discussions for the field training and practical courses in the Tourism Management Program. A total of 56 students participated in these discussions, having trained in various tourism and travel offices as well as in air travel booking operations.
The discussions included presentations, evaluations, and dialogues led by the course instructors and committee members. The main goal was to assess the skills and competencies that the students had acquired during their training period. These practical and field training programs are designed to provide hands-on experience in travel agency operations and air ticketing procedures, covering a wide range of tasks that students may encounter in the tourism and travel industry.
At the end of the discussions, the committee praised the students for their excellent and positive representation of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels at Yarmouk University. All feedback from the supervisors at the various tourism companies was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the high level of performance demonstrated by the trainees. Many students received job offers upon completing their training, a testament to the high level of satisfaction from employers with the students' abilities and professionalism.
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Educational visit to Umm Qais Archaeological Site in northern Jordan as part of the Tourism Products and Services course
In order to enhance and link the theoretical side with the practical side in the specialization, a site visit to Umm Qais archaeological site was undertaken on Saturday 16/12/2023 as part of the requirements of a course titled: Tourism Products and Services. The visit wasled by DrDarabasehthe instructor of this course.Prior to the visit, students were provided with background information on Umm Qais, its historical significance, and its role in Jordan's tourism sector. This preparatory phase aimed to ensure that students could actively engage with the site during the visit.
The students toured the site, where doctor Databsehgave them an explanation about the importance of tourism products in the sustainability of tourism and the empowerment of local communities, and they listened to a detailed explanation by Prof. Dr. AbdulkaderAbabneh, who was also accompanied by his students from the sustainable tourism course and the tourism and community course about the importance of the site in heritage and tourism.
Students enjoyed exploring the ruins of the site of um Qais, such as the Roman Theater, the Museum and the magnificent view overlooking the Golan and the Sea of Galilee. The students engaged in discussions with their professors to gain insight into the challenges and benefits of managing an archaeological site for tourism, where the students were briefed on initiatives to involve the local community in the existing tourism process at the site and to support and encourage local tourism products within small projects.
At the end of the tour the students' questions and inquiries were answered by the doctors supervising the trip (Dr. Fakhrieh and prof Abdelkader.
The visit provided students with a hands-on experience that complemented the theoretical aspects covered in the Tourism Products and Services course. It deepened their understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with tourism products and services, and the management of cultural heritage management as a whole.
This visit not only enriched the academic experience but also instilled a sense of responsibility among students towards preserving and promoting cultural heritage in the context of tourism.
Report on a fieldwork visit
Professor Dr. AbdelkaderAbabneh and the students of the Tourism and Local Community (Master’s) and Sustainable Tourism (Bachelor’s) courses visited the archaeological site of Umm Qais on 12/16/2023 in order to enhance and linkbetween the theoretical aspect to the practical aspect, where the students were informed of local community engagement initiatives and the tourism process based on the site and sustainability practices. The students toured the site and listened to a detailed explanation by Al-Ababneh about the significance of the site in terms of heritage and tourism. Some students participated in providing some information about the history and monuments of the site and at the end of the visit, the students’ questions and inquiries were answered.
