About MTA

The 'Madaba Tourism Development Association (MTA) is a voluntary membership-based organization established in 2006 to promote tourism and economic growth in Madaba, and firmly sees itself as a strong contributing proponent in the National Tourism Strategy (NTS) and as a business association we will work on strengthen the partnership relation between the privet and public sectors.

The need for a structure like MTA in Madaba was mentioned in the Madaba Tourism Development Strategy. It stresses the importance for a tourism association in Madaba to work towards an enabling environment, and act as a “destination management committee” that would take responsibility of monitoring and implementing the strategy with partner organizations.  

MTA is therefore expected to be one of the major contributors to the implementation of the tourism strategy developed for Madaba by its residents, investors and entrepreneurs with the support of the USAID-funded Siyaha Project and the Ministry of Tourism. 

MTA is also hoped to play a major role in positioning Madaba as a premier tourist destination in Jordan and a base for overnight visitors interested in exploring holy sites in Madaba and other major sites in the surrounding areas. 

The Madaba Tourism Strategy also sees MTA as a major player in supporting local capacity building through specialized training as well as promoting entrepreneurship and start-ups in Madaba.

Enhance the performance and profitability of our members

a. Newsletter

b. Brochure's (three kinds such as: Adventure, Faith & Religion, Mosaic & Hand crafts)  

Activities: 

§  Training Programs:  

Conduct a training workshop for handcrafters in Madaba on handicraft designs, and marketing. 

The Madaba Tourism Association has reviewed the Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA), and the report of the Arts and Handicrafts task force, as a result the main priority of Handcrafters identified was that they are producing a good pieces though they are not selling enough on monthly basis to cover their costs.

Accordingly Madaba Tourism Association plans to train 20 handcrafters in Madaba on Research, designing skills, and offer new sellable designs, in addition to communication skills on to ensure enhancing the handcrafters skills which will strengthen the vision and  image of  Madaba as the City of Mosaics and Handicrafts. 

Conduct a training workshop for 20 business owners on modern business management tools and techniques, control costs, and marketing skills. 

To enhance Madaba tourism sector one of the important steps is to build the capacity of businesses owners on creating enabling environment that encourage co-petition and flexibility among businesses in Madaba to move toward satisfying the tourists in different aspects of the tourism value chain. 

Conduct a training courses about hygiene for restaurants 

§  Awareness, Promotion and Communications:- 

This activity will ensure the implementation of the communication plan, printing of benefit membership kit, creating a website for the 'Madaba Tourism Association, and raising the awareness for student at schools to encourage them to choose tourism as a career choice and join Vocational Training Center (VTA) in Madaba, In addition facilitate Destination Management Committee meetings, and conduct outreach meetings in the governorate to involve stakeholders in the tourism development. 

§  Christmas Festivals 

In Dec 2006, Madaba, The City of Mosaics, was transformed to be an attractive are to feel the Christmas spirit “Christmas festival" allowed people to enjoy the Christmas season with their families and  experience the missed feeling of Christmas spirit through: Christmas Tree and street lights decorations, Santa parades, X-mass Tent Activities including; children activities (face painting, balloon shaper, characters, hakawati, Magician, Gifts and Puppet show), Bazzar which included 40 table exhibiting different local products, X-mass gifs and chocolate, handcrafts and home traditional food product.

As well all, the attendance enjoyed the Greek Orthodox School Coral and the Byzantium Music Group. The Shopping and food items at the bazaar have encouraged people to come and participate, besides different activities and programs that ensured maximum entertainment targeting all family members. 

In Dec 2007, 'Madaba, the city of Mosaics was transformed to be an attractive are to feel the Christmas spirit “Christmas festival" allowed people to enjoy the Christmas season with their families and experience the missed feeling of Christmas spirit through: Christmas Tree and street lights decorations, Santa parades. 

The association will ensure that the community in Madaba (business owners, entrepreneurs, youth and children) is engaged in the implementation of this program, aimed at spreading the spirit of Christmas and bringing about economic benefits to the area.

Through this program MTA will focus on the Madaba city center and Artisan Street in creating a lively and spiritual ambience. The Christmas themed atmosphere will be achieved in various ways, including putting up a large Christmas tree within the designated area, decorating the streets, organizing Santa Clause parades in Madaba, setting up bazaars, and a Christmas Eve dinner and concert, in addition to hosting different musical performances.

§  Annual Ramadan festival 

During the last eight days of Ramadan 2006, Madaba was transformed into a bright and festive gathering in an open-air environment. “Layali Madaba” festival allowed people to experience a new feel of Ramadan; with music, shopping, food and culture all in Madaba’s Visitors Centre.  

This area included all sorts of activities (musical bands, interactive plays and quizzes, local talent shows, comedy shows), through a specialized

Program introduced each day to ensure maximum entertainment targeting all family members.

The event was aimed at promoting Madaba as an events destination for both local and international visitors. It also succeeded in raising local awareness on the benefits of such cultural events to the business community.

MTA decided to promote Layali Madaba as an annual Ramadan activity, hoping that with time visitors would associate Ramadan to eight days of entertainment in 'Madaba. 

§  Jazz Festival

§  Summer activity 2007 during July & August in association with Jordan Tourism Board & Ministry of Tourism            

All of events covered with strong media campaigns including Newspaper ads, Radio, Flyers, Poster, and TV 

The events aim to attract hundreds of visitors to Madaba and to :- 

•  Create a series of annual festivals & events that can develop into a major local, regional and international tourism attraction

•   Promote 'Madaba as religious destination through Ramadan & Christmas-themed festival

•    Engage and strengthen the participation and collaboration of the local and national NGOs, business community, handicraft producers in offering themed products

•    Support the implementation of the Madaba Tourism Development Strategy, which aims to transform Madaba into a world class destination

•     Engage deprived families in the spirit of tourism and festivals.