Dr. Fares Al-Brezat, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Petra Development and Tourism Authority, along with the Commissioner for the Reserve and Tourism, Engineer Yazan Al-Muhadeen, welcomed a delegation of Congressional aides from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, as well as members from committees working diligently on bilateral relations, such as Foreign Affairs and Appropriations, on Friday. The delegation visited to learn about Jordan’s experience in managing tourist and heritage sites, with Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, as a key focus.
اضافة اعلان
During the meeting, Al-Brezat provided a comprehensive briefing on the plans for Petra's development, the rule of law, and the ongoing development efforts implemented by the authority. He highlighted the efforts to support local communities, preserve the cultural identity of the site, and protect Petra as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
He emphasized the importance of preserving Bedouin culture in Petra, which was added by UNESCO to the list of intangible cultural heritage in 2008. Al-Brezat also discussed the projects funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Petra, particularly the visitor transport and guiding projects within and outside the archaeological reserve, as well as green growth tourism initiatives aimed at enhancing cultural heritage and promoting sustainable tourism in Petra.
He further added that the authority is working on signing agreements with several reserves in the United States.
For their part, the members of the delegation expressed their admiration for the exceptional organization, security stability, and advanced tourism services in Petra. They encouraged tourists to visit the unique site and enjoy an unforgettable cultural and tourism experience.
Last year, the Petra Development and Tourism Authority signed a grant agreement with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) worth $15 million to fund 18 projects aimed at enhancing Petra’s status as a global tourist destination. The projects also aim to increase Petra’s tourism competitiveness by diversifying its products, boosting tourism revenues, and creating new job opportunities in the region.
