Modern day
travel books are very comparable to the travel reports that travellers of
colonial powers wrote about economic, cultural and historical differences in
their colonized countries. These reports were very often fueled by their
interest in differences as well as backwardness of the colonies about which the
travellers reported in an authoritative way. Furthermore, the colonial times
were a period where the big international powers sought the exploitation of the
colonialized territories and taking advantage of the latter’s weaknesses.
Whilst not in such a drastic extent, however very noticeable, is the big impact
that USAID (United States Agency for International Development) had and still
has in Jordan. On our visit to the main office of USAID in Jordan we were shown
all the projects that the agency started in the country, such as achieving
standards for hygiene, the opening of a culinary school and the placement of US
Rangers in Petra, and many more. While the intent to help improving the
country’s sights, tourism management and market may be a good intention, it
seems to me that the changes that are made have a rather authoritative
character and convey an image of backwardness for Jordan.
Firstly I believe that instead of placing US rangers on an important sight such
as Petra, it would be more advisable to train the local staff and provide jobs
for the local community, so that the latter can profit form the benefits their
tourism brings. Moreover, while a lot of the funding may come from the agency
and the United States to support Jordan, without which it could not have gotten
this far, this strong Western influence will eventually cause the Jordanian
culture and oriental organizational spirit to change. As a consequence visitors
will find a more and more ‘westernized’ Jordan, which I believe is not very
positive for a country that is especially culturally and socially so different
to the United States or Europe. Furthermore, I share Dr. Suleiman Farajat’s opinion that while foreign investors and agencies are indispensible to make
costly changes possible, they will at the same time not make the same effort
and promote the country as passionate as locals would. Thus, I believe that the
way in which Western countries and especially USAID have left marks all over
the Jordanian tourism sector, can be compared to neocolonialism, as their ‘good
deeds’ will support them in creating a positive and altruistic image and ease
international relations.
Tim Edenson, ‘Tourism’ International Encyclopedia of Human Geography (2009), 301.
USAID signs in Petra - one of many 'Western footprints' in Jordan |
Interesting thought. I never thought of it as a Neocolonialism.
ReplyDeleteAs a Jordanian I do think the USAID is doing a lot to help Jordan but sometimes I feel their priorities are not studies well as I wrote here:
https://jaraads.wordpress.com/2014/11/19/do-americans-know-about-usaid/