The Jordan Economic Forum (JEF) held a panel discussion titled "Petra: A Roadmap Towards Resilience and Adaptation," featuring Eng. Adnan Al-Sawa'ir, Chief Commissioner of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA). The session was attended by JEF Chairman Dr. Khair Abu Sa'ilik, board members, and general assembly representatives.
اضافة اعلان
The session, sponsored by the Haider Murad & Sons Group, addressed the current state of the tourism sector in Petra and the challenges posed by regional developments on inbound tourism. Discussions also covered PDTRA’s plans to enhance the city's resilience, diversify income sources, and stimulate development and infrastructure projects to ensure economic sustainability.
Three Pillars for Development
Dr. Abu Sa'ilik summarized the discussions into three main pillars: Investment, Infrastructure, and Developmental Awareness. He emphasized the need for a strategic vision based on "SMART" goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). He also highlighted the importance of coordinating with UNESCO to balance the preservation of Petra’s historical value with the need for infrastructure upgrades.
The Impact of Regional Crises
Eng. Al-Sawa'ir pointed out that Petra relies heavily on inbound tourism, noting that:
83% of foreign tourists visiting Jordan come specifically for Petra.
Revenue Streams: The authority and the local community depend primarily on foreign tourist ticket sales to fund projects and services across the six districts of the Petra region.
Occupancy Rates: The sector is struggling significantly; hotel occupancy rates did not exceed 6% during the recent Eid holiday.
Domestic Tourism vs. Foreign Inbound
While the government’s domestic tourism programs, such as "Urdunnan Jannah," have provided some activity for the local community, Al-Sawa'ir clarified that they offer no direct financial benefit to the Authority since participants enter the archaeological site for free.
Future Projects and UNESCO Standards
The PDTRA is utilizing this downturn to prepare for a tourism recovery through several initiatives:
Infrastructure: Constructing two main roads, including a bypass near the Umm Sayhoun area, to create a circular tourist route and organize traffic.
Site Management: Introducing more electric vehicles for the elderly and studying a "one-way path" system within the ancient city to reduce pressure on the narrow "Siq" and comply with UNESCO site-preservation standards.
Diversification: Moving away from total reliance on traditional tourism by exploring investments in light industries and modern marketing strategies to stay competitive.
The meeting concluded with a broad discussion on operational challenges and ways to enhance domestic tourism and investment readiness to ensure the city is prepared for the eventual return of global travelers.
