AMMAN — Starting
July, visitors will only be allowed entry into Petra if they have received
their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine at least 21 days prior.
اضافة اعلان
This move
constitutes efforts to make Jordan’s Golden Triangle, which includes Petra,
Aqaba, and Wadi Rum, a Covid-safe travel destination.
According to
Suleiman Farajat, chief commissioner of the Petra Development and Tourism
Region Authority (
PDTRA), “almost 90 per cent of all service staff is
vaccinated.”
He added that
there are “no plans whatsoever to raise fees.” Currently, Jordanian, Arab, and
international visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of JD1, JD10, and JD50
respectively to enter the Rose City.
“Normally,
summertime is a low season for international travel. Now that we have the
Urdonna Janah
program, we expect more Jordanians in the next two months,” he
said. The program was launched in 2020 with the goal of stimulating domestic
tourism.
“Based on our
communication with tour operators and cruise ship operators, we are expecting
an increase in international tourism starting September,” he added.
Farajat
explained that the Rose City will see some new changes.
“We are introducing
club cars soon instead of horse-drawn carriages. There are more events to come
and I think the wheels are turning.”
He added that
the reduced numbers of tourists this year, owing to COVID-19 travel
restrictions worldwide, makes this summer prime time to pay Petra a visit.
“For the next
six months to one year, numbers will be low, so it’s good to enjoy the site
without too many tourists – that’s also an advantage.”
“It’s a very
welcoming situation,” he concluded.
Two types of
buses can take tourists to Petra from Amman: the air-conditioned JETT bus,
which leaves Amman at 6:30am and departs Petra at 5pm, and the local bus – a
more affordable but less convenient option that only leaves once it’s full and
makes several stops along the way.
In addition to
the regularly scheduled tours and day hikes, Petra By Night is one way to
redefine the Petra experience. This candle-lit event occurs three times a week
and gives you a chance to experience the ancient wonder under the stars.
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