E-buggies replace horse carts at Jordan's Petra
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Sunday, December 22, 2024


E-buggies replace horse carts at Jordan's Petra
Mohammad Amarat, head of the horse-owners' association of Petra, speaks to AFP in the ancient city of Petra, some 230km (143 miles) south of the capital Amman, on October 27, 2021. Ten electric carts have replaced 12 of the more traditional animal-powered carriages that transported tourists to the landmark site, in an effort by the authorities to address criticism over animal abuse, among other things. Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP.

by Mussa Hattar



PETRA.- Horses and mules have long drawn tourist carriages through Jordan's ancient city of Petra, but animal rights concerns are driving a project to start replacing them with electric vehicles.

A small fleet of 10 rechargeable e-carts now take visitors through the rose-coloured Siq or gorge leading to the famed capital of the Nabateans, which dates back to the first century BC.

"There is no pollution or smoke" and the change has "reduced the cases of animal mistreatment," said Suleiman Farajat, head of the Petra Development and Tourism Regional Authority.

The golf buggy-style vehicles have less impact because "sometimes the carriage wheels hit the sides of the Siq ... the horse dung caused a bad smell in the place, and cleaning it was not easy.

"It was an unpleasant experience for the tourists, the horses and us," said Farajat.

Animal rights group PETA, which had criticised the use of the often scrawny and overworked draft animals, has described the project as a "major first step to protect working animals".

The group hailed the "game-changing vehicles" and added that it hopes to work with officials "toward the day when there will be only animal-free transportation at Petra".

For now the Petra authority says it will keep some of the horses "to preserve the character of the place, as it is a world heritage site".

'This amazing place'

The change has however also been hailed for another reason -- helping to make the UNESCO World Heritage Site far more accessible to elderly and disabled visitors.

Austrian tourist Rudy, 43, who uses a wheelchair, said he had repeatedly postponed a visit because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and was now "very happy" to have made the trip.




"Disabled people but also people who have difficulty walking for a long distance ... now have a chance to see this amazing place."

A US tourist named Angie, 60, agreed: "It seems a little bit out of character to have these in a beautiful place like this. But at our age, it was nice to come back in an electric cart."

Jordan's tourism industry is recovering from the blow of Covid-19, having previously relied on it for more than 10 percent of its GDP. The pandemic slashed revenues from $5.8 billion in 2019 to $1 billion last year.

Petra, Jordan's most famous tourism site, provides a living for hundreds of families.

The move to replace 12 horse-drawn carriages with 10 e-carts was agreed with the horse owners' association.

Foreign tourists pay 25 dinars ($35) and Jordanians 15 dinars for the round trip from the visitor centre to the archaeological site.

The association receives 75 percent of the income, while 25 percent goes to the authority, said Farajat.

The head of the association, Mohammad Amarat, said those operating the electric carts earn more than 300 Jordanian dinars (about $423) per month.

One benefit is that the carts can carry five passengers, compared to just two in the horse-drawn carriages.

He prefers the new vehicles because previously the horses "were tired, their income was less, and the journey time was longer".


© Agence France-Presse










Today's News

November 18, 2021

Largest collection of Fabergé Easter Eggs in a generation on display in major exhibition

One of the earliest photographic portraits taken in America sells in archive realizing $300,000

They love crypto. They're trying to buy the Constitution.

Toronto Biennial of Art announces confirmed artists for its second edition on view March 26-June 5, 2022

Tel Aviv Museum of Art opens a comprehensive survey of the work of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama

Gagosian to launch picture books imprint in collaboration with Emma Cline

MOCA North Miami opens first retrospective to examine all periods of Maryan's life and work

Museum-quality 20-pound gold nugget, the largest ever discovered in Alaska, heads to auction

Freeman's American Art Week led by marquee names from single-owner collections

Extremely rare sea silk material to be offered in Hindman Couture Auction

Storm King Art Center announces Nora Lawrence new artistic director and chief curator

Great Danes: Kunstmuseum Den Haag exhibits porcelain masterpieces made in Copenhagen 1890-1930

Pera Museum's new exhibition titled "The Art of Weights and Measures" examines the act of measuring and weighing

Ed Bullins, leading playwright of the Black Arts Movement, dies at 86

E-buggies replace horse carts at Jordan's Petra

Japan experts craft 'super clone' of destroyed Afghan mural

Rare Hermès Birkin bags lead holiday luxury accessories event

Retrospective of Philip Tsiaras 'Superdot' series exhibited in London for first time

The Approach opens an exhibition of paintings and drawings by Bill Lynch

Sapar Contemporary opens the gallery's second solo exhibition of work by Azerbaijani artist Faig Ahmed

Tiwani Contemporary opens the first solo exhibition of British artist Charmaine Watkiss at the gallery

Marcel Odenbach awarded the 2021 Wolfgang Hahn Prize

Raúl Rivero, disenchanted poet of the Cuban revolution, dies at 75

Philip Margo of the Tokens, who sang of a snoozing lion, dies at 79

How To Digitally Market Your Art

What are Grandparents' Rights in the UK to Reconnect with Grandchildren

Advantages of the online casino without registration

Men's and handcrafted: here are next year's jewelry trends

Ecommerce product photography guide take picture attract convert customers

The Insight Into OSCAR 2022 Predictions

Ways To Make Time for Yourself as an Entrepreneur




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
(52 8110667640)

Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys
Houston Dentist
Abogado de accidentes
สล็อต
สล็อตเว็บตรง
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful