Med Trails Network launched in Amman to unite Mediterranean hiking trails and boost local communities

Jordan Daily –  The Med Trails Network (MTN), a new association connecting Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) and Trail-related Organizations in the Mediterranean region, has officially been established in Amman.

Established with main funding from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), along with OXFAM and the World Bank, the network’s founding partners include core trail organizations- the Jordan Trail Association, the Palestinian Heritage Trail, and the Lebanon Mountain Trail – alongside specialized French partners AFRAT and Tetraktys, which offer expertise in rural development.

The MTN’s ambitious vision is to represent most major hiking trails in the Mediterranean, aiming to benefit local communities by supporting economic growth, protecting natural & cultural heritage, and enabling adaptation to climate change.

The event marking the network’s official registration will introduce the founding members and detail their shared vision for enhancing community-based tourism and valuing the unique cultural and natural heritage connected by hiking trails around the Mediterranean region.

“We envision the Mediterranean as a land of human connection, where trails act as tangible links between people, places, and our shared natural and cultural heritage,” said Omar Sakr, Co-President of the MTN. “The Med Trails Network is the collective mechanism to foster cooperation for a more sustainable and unified regional approach to hiking tourism.”

“Ultimately, our focus is on impact at the local level,” added George Rishmawi, Co-President of the MTN. “By uniting these major trails, we can leverage international support, share best practices, and channel resources directly to the communities, ensuring that this sustainable growth empowers local economies and preserves the unique identity of our regions.”

The Med Trails Network (MTN) is an association dedicated to fostering regional collaboration among DMOs and Trail-related Organizations across the Mediterranean. The MTN is committed to promoting sustainable and responsible tourism, encouraging cultural exchange, and supporting economic development along hiking trails.