Policy Paper on “Tourism in Petra: Opportunities and Challenges”

Press Release:

Institute for Policy and Society calls for linking antiquities with culture and tourism and diversifying tourism markets in a policy paper issued by the Institute for Policy and Society on the state of tourism in Petra. A policy paper on the state of tourism in Petra calls for merging the Ministries of Tourism and Antiquities and Culture into a single ministry, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities. This aims to achieve closer integration between cultural and historical identity on the one hand, and cultural industries, tourism, and archaeological activities on the other. This will enhance the ministry’s role in protecting national identity and preserving historical sites. Furthermore, developing the tourism sector also requires expanding the role of municipalities in managing tourist sites, both in terms of regulating commercial activity and improving the level of services provided to visitors. This will ensure that the management of these sites becomes more closely connected to the local community, according to the paper.

The paper also calls for developing a comprehensive strategic vision for Jordanian tourism that takes into account the nature of the surrounding regional environment, which often witnesses tensions and problems. This will involve exploring new tourism markets, such as those of tourists residing in the Gulf states, as well as targeting countries in East Asia, Eastern Europe, Russia, and others. The paper noted that the “Rule of Law and Development” campaign contributed to addressing some of the regulatory chaos within the archaeological area, limiting the spread of unregulated activities. However, it also called for the need to regulate the role of the local community, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders at the site, so that they can be true partners in managing the next phase.

The paper warned of the deterioration of the tourism sector in Petra, which has witnessed a marked decline over the past five years due to successive crises since the COVID-19 pandemic and regional unrest. This has led to a clear reluctance of tourists and has had a negative impact on the local economy, threatening social stability and sustainable development in the Petra District.

The paper indicated that Petra has experienced a significant economic downturn, reflected in hotel occupancy rates, which declined by approximately 95% after the recent Iran-Israel war. The current situation in the city has also led to the closure of more than 2,000 hotel rooms out of 3,700 classified hotels in the city, with the layoff of more than 700 hotel workers, reflecting a direct impact on the local economy and the standard of living of the population. The paper stated that the Rose City faces challenges related to infrastructure and a lack of tourism services due to a lack of financial resources, in addition to the limited capabilities of the local workforce and the lack of funding unrelated to tourism activity. Current efforts face dilemmas related to a lack of funding for capital expenditures and the difficulty of expanding and achieving economic impact, along with the emergence of temporary solutions at the expense of more radical or long-term solutions.

The paper proposed the establishment of a national budget fund to support the Petra Regional Authority’s budget, which would contribute to financing tourism and development projects, enhance financial stability, and reduce the deficit. It also proposed developing effective partnerships between the public and private sectors and expanding international cooperation through joint tourism programs with neighboring countries, so that Jordan becomes a major tourist destination. It also proposed investing in Jordanian university graduates, including tourism and archaeology students, in the development plan to address the challenge of the shortage of trained local personnel in Petra, enhance their opportunities in the labor market, and reduce the unemployment rate. It’s worth noting that these recommendations were based on the outcomes of a workshop held in partnership between the Institute of Politics and Society and the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan, titled “Tourism in Petra: Opportunities and Challenges.” The workshop was presented by Dr. Fares Al-Brizat, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority, and was attended by a group of experts and specialists in the tourism sector and public policy, along with a number of researchers.

Executive Summary

• Petra has experienced a significant decline in tourist numbers in recent years as a result of successive technological changes over the past five years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and recent emerging crises, which have negatively impacted the local economy.

• Petra recorded a hotel occupancy rate of less than 5% following the 2025 Iran-Israel War, with 91 hotels owned by local residents, negatively impacting the local economy and the standard of living of the population.

• The economic recession has impacted Petra’s senior staff, leading to the closure of 32 licensed and emerging hotels in the city and the layoff of more than 700 workers, indicating the city’s social marginalization.

• Poor infrastructure and a lack of modern tourism services pose a structural challenge for Petra, along with a lack of sustainable, non-tourism-related funding and a lack of funding allocated for the actual implementation of projects.

• Diversifying tourism markets and products and opening direct air links with neighboring countries, particularly the Gulf states and Egypt, is one solution to enhance Petra’s status as a global tourist destination.

• Enhancing integration in joint tourism programs with Egypt and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the current tourism momentum in the field of cultural and religious tourism.

• The next phase requires allocating direct support from the public treasury or establishing a long-term national support fund with sufficient powers to finance tourism and development projects. Government performance also enables results and encourages effective public-private partnerships

• Ensuring that reality does not require restructuring ministries, linking the Ministries of Tourism and Antiquities together, and ensuring that national decision-making is always based on site-specific considerations and their impact on tourism and local communities.

Preface

Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most important tourist destinations in Jordan and the world, and a major source of economic income, contributing approximately $1 billion to the Kingdom’s tourism revenues.[1] However, it is currently experiencing an unprecedented tourism crisis, following a sharp 74% decline in the number of foreign visitors in 2024 compared to the previous year. This has led to the closure of dozens of hotels and the layoff of their workers. The hotel sector is among the sectors most affected by this decline, with 32 hotels remaining closed and more than 700 workers laid off, despite efforts to encourage domestic tourism through incentive programs, such as the recently launched “Jordan is Paradise” program. [2]This comes despite the fact that more than 85% of the Petra region’s population relies on tourism as their primary source of income. [3]This decline is attributed to several major factors, most notably the ongoing regional conflicts and their negative impact on tourism flows, in addition to weak local infrastructure and the absence of effective financing mechanisms. These factors have led to the closure of a large number of hotels, the loss of hundreds of jobs, and high unemployment rates locally. Despite the tireless efforts of the government, the Petra Tourism Development Authority, and the private sector, these efforts suffer from limited funding and implementation and remain insufficient to restore tourism and achieve sustainable development.[4]

Introduction

Petra is one of Jordan’s most prominent archaeological sites, a cultural icon listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World  Over the decades, Petra has become a major tourist attraction, contributing significantly to Jordan’s GDP and providing thousands of jobs in the tourism sector and related services. However, over the past five years, the ancient city has witnessed a marked decline in its tourism performance. This decline has coincided with the escalation of regional crises, starting with the Israeli war on Gaza in October 2023, known as the “October 7” events, in addition to regional tensions such as those between Israel and Iran, and the complex situation in Syria.[5] At the same time, Petra faces challenges such as weak infrastructure, a lack of modern tourism services, and the absence of sustainable financing strategies that address the crisis beyond temporary solutions. The Petra crisis reflects profound economic, social, and developmental dimensions; the decline in tourism activity has led to increased unemployment rates, exacerbating societal challenges. It has also negatively impacted opportunities for developing basic infrastructure. [6]All of the above points to an urgent need to reevaluate current policies and establish sustainable financing and development mechanisms that enable the revival of Petra’s tourism sector.

This paper attempts to review the reality of tourism challenges in Petra, analyze the reasons behind this decline, and provide an assessment of existing efforts, while also offering comprehensive recommendations that respond to Petra’s current challenges.

Problem statement

Petra has recently witnessed a sharp decline in economic activity linked to tourism, amid regional tensions. This has had a significant impact on the city’s economic and tourism infrastructure, threatening social stability and sustainable development in the region. The city has witnessed a significant decline in the number of visitors and tourists since the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a slight recovery, which has subsequently worsened the current situation, leading to a decline in the flow of tourists from regional and international markets. This economic downturn has led to a significant rise in unemployment rates, amid a weak tourism and service infrastructure. Petra’s tourism sector also suffers from a lack of funding for local development projects, given banks’ classification of the tourism sector as a high-risk sector.

Challenges to Improving Tourism and Economic Performance Indicators

Based on the above, it can be noted that the factors contributing to this decline are due to several challenges:

Regional and security conditions: Jordan has long been affected by regional tensions due to its position in a sensitive geopolitical equation. However, it may not have been as affected as it has been in recent years, given the waves of political and security unrest that swept the region, which had repercussions that led to numerous transformations in the tourism sector. Over the past five years, Jordan’s tourism sector has witnessed sharp fluctuations between growth and contraction. 2019 was exceptional, with the Kingdom receiving approximately 5.36 million visitors, generating revenues of 4.1 billion Jordanian dinars. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented contraction, with the number of visitors declining by 76% and revenues declining by 77%. Tourism peaked in 2023, receiving 5.510 million visitors and generating revenues of approximately 5.25 billion dinars. However, the war on Gaza and tensions between Israel and Iran, which coincided with the start of the tourist season, led to a 74% drop in foreign visitors to Petra in 2024 compared to 2023, with hotel occupancy rates falling to just 3%. This decline impacted hotels, restaurants, transportation, gift shops, and service providers, resulting in hotel occupancy falling to just 10.4%. This deepened regional instability, which in turn impacted Jordan’s tourism sector.[7]

Figure (1) represents the number of visit[8]

Figure (2) represents ticket revenues for the Land Transport Regulatory Authority in millions in 2024 compared to 2019[9]

The table represents the total number of foreign visitors to Petra in 2025 compared to 2024.[10]

• Weak infrastructure and tourism services: Petra suffers from a lack of geographical connectivity between its tourist sites and other tourist destinations, which limits visitor options and reduces the opportunity to enable comprehensive tourism trips. This limits a visitor’s stay in Petra to no more than a night and a half. Additionally, there is a lack of some modern tourism services, such as internet services, advanced health facilities, and digital reservation systems, which have become essential to attracting tourists of all ages. This is due to the financial challenges facing Petra, including a lack of funding.

• Unemployment and a lack of training: This is partly due to the lack of investment in specialized vocational training programs in this sector, which enhance the skills of the local workforce in the tourism sector.

Figure (3) represents the number of workers in the tourism sector at the governorate level in Jordan until March 2025[11]

Despite periodic promotional campaigns at the national level, previous policies were not successful in achieving structural reforms or promoting sustainable investments in infrastructure and community-based tourism. These policies also did not sufficiently focus on empowering local communities.[12]

Official Strategic Plans: A strategic development plan for Petra was approved in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), known as the “Petra Tourism Master Plan 2024-2033.”[13] The plan aims to comprehensively develop the tourist destination across multiple axes, including infrastructure improvements, tourism product enhancements, heritage protection, and local community development. The plan provides a clear roadmap for implementing short-, medium-, and long-term projects and sets measurable performance indicators.

– Petra Tourism Development Authority (PDTRA) Initiatives: PDTRA is developing new services and diversifying tourism products through initiatives such as astronomy tourism, eco-tourism trails, and seasonal cultural events.[14]

– The Role of the Private Sector and Community Initiatives: The private sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is undertaking some initiatives to adapt to the crisis, such as wage reductions and local marketing programs. Civil society organizations are also working on training programs and supporting handicrafts. [15]However, these initiatives suffer from limited resources and cannot alone address the structural challenges facing the tourism sector in Petra. However, these efforts are often limited in terms of funding and scalability, and they still struggle to achieve a tangible economic impact across the sector as a whole.

– Rule of Law and Development Campaign: Continuing development efforts to ensure equitable distribution of gains, particularly in less developed areas such as the villages of “Dalagha”” a”  Umm Sayhoun”. [16]The campaign addressed the spread of unregulated activities within the archaeological area, including the discovery of encroachments on 309 archaeological caves used for various purposes, such as housing, storage, and pens by local families, as well as illegal tourism by locals and foreigners. This was addressed in accordance with the Rule of Law and Development Campaign.[17] However, any return to tourism activity requires monitoring and tracking to ensure that encroachments do not return.

Opportunities for Developing Petra’s Tourism Landscape:

Despite the challenges facing Petra, there are opportunities to develop and improve the city’s tourism landscape. However, there are five key areas that need development: diversifying the tourism product, diversifying markets and marketing, developing a trained workforce, regulatory legislation, and national tourism transportation. The most prominent of these opportunities is diversifying tourism markets by targeting regional tourists, particularly from the Gulf states and Egypt, both those coming from Egypt and those coming to Jordan, through integrated tourism programs between Egypt and Jordan. This ensures that Petra is not limited to a mere transit route. Opportunities also include developing tourism transportation by rehabilitating national transportation networks and connecting tourist destinations, including railway restoration projects and developing land and air transportation. Investment in the local tourism product is also crucial, by leveraging existing products and adding new elements that enhance the visitor experience.

The Department of Antiquities is a pivotal institution in protecting the nation’s tangible and intangible heritage. Therefore, there is a need to complete the national narrative by linking antiquities, tourism, and culture under a single Ministry of National Heritage and Tourism, ensuring integration in the construction of the Jordanian national discourse and its presentation to the world. This transformation requires examining the relationship between archaeological and tourist sites and municipalities, drawing on the experiences of many countries around the world. This ensures that the services provided at archaeological and tourist sites are closely linked to the local community, enhancing local development opportunities and linking archaeological and tourist sites to local economic activity. Furthermore, the abundance of trained Jordanian labor and the prevention of brain drain provide an opportunity to improve the quality of services. [18]

This also allows for organizing and involving the local community in the management of tourist sites, enhancing belonging and participation in development efforts. This also requires establishing a conference palace in Petra to encourage conference tourism, similar to what several countries have done, and what Jordan has done with the Dead Sea model, by attracting attention to tourist sites through holding official local, regional, and international conferences that receive extensive media and press coverage and are visited by senior leaders and officials.

Figure (4) represents the number of visitors to Jordan by country group in 2025.[19]

Lessons from Other Experiences

Over the past two decades, several countries around the world have faced severe shocks to their tourism sector, whether due to security, political, or preventive consequences. These shocks included reshaping the tourism sector with more resilient and sustainable mechanisms. For example, Sri Lanka suffered a painful blow after the 2019 Easter attacks, which caused losses estimated at $1.5 billion. However, it quickly recovered with a financial aid package, promotional campaigns, and tourism facilitations such as the waiver of visa fees, generating revenues of more than $1.5 billion in the first half of 2024.[20] In Egypt, the decline in tourism following the January 2011 revolution led to a drop in the number of tourists from 14 million to approximately 5.3 million by 2016. However, the tourism sector quickly regained momentum, rising to more than 13 million by 2019. This recovery was supported by international campaigns and incentives for investments in tourism infrastructure, [21]as well as a structural reform program to develop the tourism sector, which aimed to achieve sustainable tourism development. The program also aimed to raise the competitiveness of the tourism sector in line with global trends and increase the number of workers. In September 2019, Egypt published the first follow-up report assessing the success of the vocational and technical training program, which showed that more than 80% of the program’s objectives had been achieved, most notably investing in human resources, improving worker efficiency, and increasing the sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product. Therefore, these experiences provide Petra with an opportunity to adopt similar mechanisms to enhance the sector’s sustainability, through financial support packages, promotional campaigns, tourism facilities, and stimulating investments in infrastructure. They also recognize the shift in tourism patterns toward water tourism, for example, by focusing on developing this type of tourism, such as building water villages, which will contribute to revitalizing tourism activity and enhancing the sector’s contribution to the local economy.[22]

Recommendations

• The next phase requires the establishment of a national fund to support the Petra Region Authority’s budget. This fund will contribute to financing tourism, development, and capital projects, enhance financial resource stability, reduce the deficit, improve the Authority’s ability to conduct long-term planning and provide services to the local community, and encourage effective public-private partnerships to develop the region’s tourism economy.

• Integration with global markets, including a regional dimension, through the launch of joint tourism programs linking tourist sites in Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. 27% of Petra’s visitors in 2023 are coming through joint programs with regional countries. In addition, the geographical proximity allows for the establishment of joint tourism programs, transforming Jordan into an integrated destination worthy of longer stays. Nearby markets, such as the Gulf states, which constitute a significant percentage of visitors to Jordan for tourism purposes, can also be targeted by designing integrated tourism programs that combine Petra with other Jordanian destinations, enhancing Jordan’s attractiveness as a major destination.

• In terms of infrastructure, efforts should be made to improve the geographical connectivity between Petra and neighboring tourist attractions, such as Wadi Rum and Aqaba, and other tourist areas in the Kingdom by developing roads and improving transportation services. Digital infrastructure, including enhanced internet services and electronic reservation systems, should also be upgraded to facilitate the visitor experience and attract different age groups. Furthermore, enhancing health facilities and basic services is integral to providing a suitable environment for visitors and ensuring their comfort.

• Diversifying tourism products by developing ecotourism, astronomical tourism, adventure tourism, spiritual tourism, and cultural tourism, with the aim of reducing pressure on archaeological sites and enhancing the visitor experience. Engaging the local community in providing alternative tourism services, such as organizing trips to neighboring villages and craft workshops, is an important factor in promoting sustainable development.

• Activating smart and sustainable marketing and promotional efforts by launching campaigns targeting new and promising markets in Asia and Eastern Europe, with a focus on highlighting the stability and security of the region. This requires effective investment in digital media and social media platforms to highlight Petra’s unique features, such as sustainability and heritage preservation. Cultural events and seasonal festivals can also be organized to boost visitor traffic and support the local economy. This attracts Jordanian tourists before foreign tourists, promoting sustainable tourism. In the long term, it targets various types of tourism, such as religious tourism, both Islamic and Christian pilgrimage.

• The participation of specialized university students from the faculties of tourism, archaeology, and heritage resources from all Jordanian universities is a strategic opportunity to address the challenge of the shortage of trained local personnel in Petra. This opportunity will connect academic knowledge with practical application, enhancing their opportunities in the job market and reducing unemployment. Practical recommendations to support student participation include several elements:

1. Accommodation, transportation, and financial support: Providing free or discounted accommodation and regular transportation at nominal prices, in addition to grants or special funds to support needy students during training programs.

2. Volunteer and seasonal initiatives: Involving students during peak seasons to manage visitors and organize events, and contributing to awareness campaigns for local residents and tourists about the importance of preserving heritage and cultural sites.

3. Modern technologies and interactive learning: Introducing virtual reality and augmented reality to provide virtual site visits, especially for students with frequent difficulties in accessing them. Simulation centers or exhibition halls within universities are also being established to provide an interactive learning experience before moving to the field.

4. Institutional partnerships: Establishing agreements between universities and the Petra Regional Authority to develop formal training programs and connect students in applied research projects that contribute to improving tourism management and heritage protection, while engaging the local community to provide additional facilities such as discounted accommodation and logistical support. These measures contribute to raising students’ practical skills and providing qualified local cadres who can effectively contribute to the development of sustainable tourism.

• Promoting domestic tourism as a means of international marketing by working to increase the number of local visitors to Petra and encouraging them to interact positively with tourist sites. This allows them to share their experiences outside Jordan through personal channels and social media, which contributes to raising awareness of the tourist destination and enhancing its image internationally.

• Holding periodic dialogues; The current situation facing the city of Petra requires the organization of ongoing, periodic, specialized sessions, attended by official officials and involving stakeholders and relevant entities, to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the tourism sector in Petra, with the goal of in-depth study of practical solutions to these challenges.

Conclusion

The above indicates that Petra faces significant challenges to tourism and the local economy, due to volatile regional conditions, weak infrastructure, a lack of funding, and limited local workforce capacity. However, Petra’s unique archaeological and historical site, along with the opportunities available to diversify tourism markets, develop local products, and enhance local community engagement, provide a solid foundation for sustainable tourism development. Therefore, the paper recommends adopting a comprehensive approach that combines sustainable financing through a national fund that supports the Petra Tourism Development Authority’s budget, strengthening international and community partnerships, and engaging students specializing in tourism, antiquities, and heritage resources in practical and field training programs. The paper also emphasizes the importance of modernizing digital infrastructure, addressing transportation issues, and diversifying tourism products, highlighting some international practices that can be applied in Petra.

References

1. Al-Brizat: “Petra Contributes About One Billion Dollars to Tourism Revenue,” Interview on Noon Radio, 28 February 2025, see: https://shorturl.at/B4vEC
2. “Jordan Tourism Forum Discusses the Tourism Situation in Petra,” The Jordan Times, 18 January 2025, see: https://shorturl.at/5JFVR
3. “On the Anniversary of Its Selection as a World Wonder… Petra Faces an Unprecedented Tourism Crisis and Widespread Closures,” Roya News, 7 July 2025, see: https://royanews.tv/news/353085
4. Workshop: “Tourism in Petra: Opportunities and Challenges,” 11 August 2025, see: https://web.facebook.com/share/p/16uQoxvQc4/
5. Previous source
6. Previous source
7. Raad Al-Tal, “Tourism in Petra: The Recovery Journey Amid Challenges,” Al-Rai Newspaper, 22 February 2025, see: https://shorturl.at/Olwor
8. The Road Ahead: Enhancing Tourism Resilience in Petra, Petra Regional Development and Tourism Authority
9. The Road Ahead: Enhancing Tourism Resilience in Petra, Petra Regional Development and Tourism Authority
10. Previous source
11. Tourism Sector Indicators: Employment Rate in the Tourism Sector, Ministry of Tourism, see: https://shorturl.at/oDorB
12. Workshop: “Tourism in Petra: Opportunities and Challenges,” 11 August 2025, see: https://web.facebook.com/share/p/16uQoxvQc4/
13. “Launch of the Strategic Tourism Plan for Petra 2024–2033,” Jordan News Agency, 3 November 2024, see: https://shorturl.at/peIHL
14. Workshop: “Tourism in Petra: Opportunities and Challenges,” 11 August 2025, see: https://web.facebook.com/share/p/16uQoxvQc4/
15. FM89.5, “Petra Regional Authority Signs Agreements with the Private Sector and Monitors Implementation of the Agreement with the Local Community,” 15 August 2024, see: https://shorturl.at/bNDVI
16. https://shorturl.at/bNDVI
17. “Study of Plans to Strengthen Rule of Law and Development in Petra,” Jordan News Agency (Petra), 13 December/October 2024, see: https://shorturl.at/qABWU
18. Workshop: “Tourism in Petra: Opportunities and Challenges,” 11 August 2025, see: https://web.facebook.com/share/p/16uQoxvQc4/
19. Previous source
20. Tourism Sector Indicators – Number of International Visitors, Ministry of Tourism, see: https://shorturl.at/V7rlm
21. “The Second Return of Paradise Island: How Sri Lanka Recovered from Its Crisis,” CNN TRAVEL, 3 October 2019, see: https://shorturl.at/UYU37
22. “Egypt Launches Aid Package to Support Tourism Recovery in Cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Tourism Organization,” European Bank, 13 January 2021, see: https://shorturl.at/KZbtD
23. “Tourism Revenues in Egypt in 2019 Exceeded $13 Billion, the Highest in History,” Daily News Egypt, 31 March 2020, see: https://shorturl.at/VN4mO

[1] Al-Brizat: “Petra Contributes About One Billion Dollars to Tourism Revenue,” Interview on Noon Radio, 28 February 2025, see: https://shorturl.at/B4vEC

[2] “Jordan Tourism Forum Discusses the Tourism Situation in Petra,” The Jordan Times, 18 January 2025, see: https://shorturl.at/5JFVR

[3] “On the Anniversary of Its Selection as a World Wonder… Petra Faces an Unprecedented Tourism Crisis and Widespread Closures,” Roya News, 7 July 2025, see: https://royanews.tv/news/353085

[4] Workshop: “Tourism in Petra: Opportunities and Challenges,” 11 August 2025, see: https://web.facebook.com/share/p/16uQoxvQc4/

[5] Previous source

[6] Previous source

[7] Raad Al-Tal, “Tourism in Petra: The Recovery Journey Amid Challenges,” Al-Rai Newspaper, 22 February 2025, see: https://shorturl.at/Olwor

[8] The Road Ahead: Enhancing Tourism Resilience in Petra, Petra Regional Development and Tourism Authority

[9] The Road Ahead: Enhancing Tourism Resilience in Petra, Petra Regional Development and Tourism Authority

[10] The Road Ahead: Enhancing Tourism Resilience in Petra, Petra Regional Development and Tourism Authority

[11] Tourism Sector Indicators: Employment Rate in the Tourism Sector, Ministry of Tourism, see: https://shorturl.at/oDorB

[12] Workshop: “Tourism in Petra: Opportunities and Challenges,” 11 August 2025, see: https://web.facebook.com/share/p/16uQoxvQc4/

[13] “Launch of the Strategic Tourism Plan for Petra 2024–2033,” Jordan News Agency, 3 November 2024, see: https://shorturl.at/peIHL

[14] Workshop: “Tourism in Petra: Opportunities and Challenges,” 11 August 2025, see: https://web.facebook.com/share/p/16uQoxvQc4/

[15] FM89.5, “Petra Regional Authority Signs Agreements with the Private Sector and Monitors Implementation of the Agreement with the Local Community,” 15 August 2024, see: https://shorturl.at/bNDVI

[16] “Study of Plans to Strengthen Rule of Law and Development in Petra,” Jordan News Agency (Petra), 13 December/October 2024, see: https://shorturl.at/qABWU

[17] Workshop: “Tourism in Petra: Opportunities and Challenges,” 11 August 2025, see: https://web.facebook.com/share/p/16uQoxvQc4/

[18] Workshop: “Tourism in Petra: Opportunities and Challenges,” 11 August 2025, see: https://web.facebook.com/share/p/16uQoxvQc4/

[19] Tourism Sector Indicators – Number of International Visitors, Ministry of Tourism, see: https://shorturl.at/V7rlm

[20] “The Second Return of Paradise Island: How Sri Lanka Recovered from Its Crisis,” CNN TRAVEL, 3 October 2019, see: https://shorturl.at/UYU37

[21] “Egypt Launches Aid Package to Support Tourism Recovery in Cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Tourism Organization,” European Bank, 13 January 2021, see: https://shorturl.at/KZbtD

[22] “Tourism Revenues in Egypt in 2019 Exceeded $13 Billion, the Highest in History,” Daily News Egypt, 31 March 2020, see: https://shorturl.at/VN4mO