Petra, June 17 (Petra) -- The Petra College of Tourism and Archaeology at the Al-Hussein Bin Talal University on Wednesday launched the international RE-BUILD program, which aims to strengthen professional capacities in the tourism and hospitality sectors through specialized training programs in tourism and hotel services and by developing practical skills for young people and sector employees, contributing to improved service quality and the creation of sustainable employment opportunities.

The program is part of a three-year project jointly funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and implemented in partnership with several Jordanian and Italian institutions. Key partners include the main partner, the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA); Sela Association for Training and Heritage Protection; Greater Karak Municipality; the Jordan Engineers Association; the German Jordanian University; and Italian partners CESF, KIMIA, the Municipality of Gubbio, and ELIS Association.

PDTRA Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Adnan Al Sawair said the launch of the program in Petra reflects the region’s status as a global tourism destination and an important center for skills development and capacity building in the tourism sector.

He noted that the authority places human resource development and youth empowerment at the forefront of its priorities, considering them essential to achieving sustainable tourism development.

Al Sawair added that the authority is committed to strengthening local and international partnerships that contribute to the development of the tourism sector and enhance the capabilities of its workforce. He stressed that investment in vocational training and professional qualification directly improves the quality of services provided to visitors and strengthens Petra’s competitiveness as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.

He explained that the program will provide valuable opportunities for young people to acquire practical skills required by the labor market, particularly in hotel services, hospitality management, visitor services, and tourist communication, helping to increase employment opportunities and improve living standards within local communities.

Al Sawair said the authority is keen to align training programs with the actual needs of the tourism sector and with global developments in the tourism industry, emphasizing that building a qualified and capable workforce is one of the most important requirements for sustaining tourism growth and achieving economic development in the region.

The program includes a series of specialized training courses targeting young people and professionals working in the tourism sector, as well as institutional capacity-building initiatives and support programs for local community organizations. It also features entrepreneurship and self-employment programs aimed at enabling participants to develop innovative tourism projects and create new job opportunities.

Training activities are scheduled to continue over the next three years at a number of accredited training centers and tourism sites across Jordan, providing participants with practical, hands-on learning environments that will help them gain the experience necessary for successful integration into the labor market.

The RE-BUILD program represents a model of Jordanian-Italian cooperation in human resource development, combining international expertise with local needs. It seeks to prepare qualified professionals capable of supporting the growth of the tourism sector and improving the quality of services offered to visitors, thereby contributing positively to the national economy and sustainable development.

//Petra// AF