Khaberni - The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority held an extensive consultative meeting on Sunday, chaired by the President of the Board of Commissioners Adnan Al-Sawaeer, and with the presence of the members of the Board of Commissioners and representatives of the tourism sector from the region, to discuss the repercussions of the current regional conditions on the tourism movement in the city of Petra.
During the meeting, the challenges faced by the tourism sector were discussed, in light of the decline in visitor numbers recently, in addition to examining mechanisms for dealing with the current stage and alleviating its effects on employees in the sector and the tourist establishments in the region. It was agreed to establish a joint operation room comprising representatives from the Petra Region Authority and the tourism sector, aimed at monitoring developments in the tourism scene in real-time, and developing urgent solutions and measures that contribute to supporting the sustainability of the tourism sector. The joint operation room is planned to continue its work even after the crisis ends.
The meeting also discussed the readiness of the tourism sector and the city of Petra on the first day after the end of the current crisis, mechanisms for preparing for the recovery phase through enhancing coordination between different concerned entities, revitalizing tourism and promotional programs, and communicating with international tourism companies to ensure the organized tourist trips return to the Pink City as soon as possible.
Al-Sawaeer emphasized during the meeting the importance of holding consultative meetings regularly and permanently with representatives of the tourism sector, which ensures direct listening to the challenges faced by employees in the sector, and working jointly to find practical solutions that contribute to supporting its sustainability and enhancing its ability to overcome the current circumstances.
Al-Sawaeer stressed that the Petra Region Authority places the interest of the tourism sector and the local communities in Petra at the forefront of its priorities, affirming ongoing coordination with the concerned governmental entities to take the necessary measures that contribute to alleviating the effects of the decline in tourism and supporting the workers in the sector.
Representatives of the tourism sector outlined the main challenges facing the establishments and employees due to the decline in tourism movement, and they presented a set of demands and proposals, which included working on preparing a support package that covers social security, electricity, water, and taxes, in addition to demanding direct support for the sector to help it continue and maintain its employees during this period.
