Petra, May 19 (Petra) -- The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority is moving to strengthen community partnerships and expand cooperation with local institutions as part of broader efforts to support tourism development, infrastructure upgrades, and service improvements across the Petra region.

Chairman of the authority Adnan Sawa'ir said community engagement remains central to development plans aimed at improving tourism services and supporting sustainable economic growth in Petra.

Sawa'ir made the remarks during a meeting with local community representatives and academics in the Petra district attended by Deputy Chairman Shaker Adwan.

He said the authority continues to prioritize direct communication with local communities and the inclusion of public feedback in developmental and tourism-related initiatives.

According to Sawa'ir, Petra residents play a key role in protecting the archaeological site and strengthening its global tourism position.

He also stressed the importance of coordination between the authority, local communities, and academic and tourism institutions to address development and service-sector challenges in the region.

The chairman said the authority is working to expand the participation of youth and women in tourism and development programs.

He added that the authority recently signed a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Environment aimed at supporting environmental and development initiatives, including the expansion of public parks and green spaces.

Sawa'ir also announced that the authority secured JD2 million in financial support for infrastructure and service upgrades in the Daraa area.

He highlighted plans to further develop Petra College for Tourism and Archaeology through enhanced academic and training programs aligned with labor market needs in tourism and heritage sectors.

The authority is also focusing on practical training and partnerships with tourism-sector institutions to strengthen professional qualifications and support the college’s international presence, he added.

Local community representative Mohammad Abbas Al-Nawafleh emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between the authority and local communities to support development efforts and address shared challenges.

Discussions during the meeting covered issues related to archaeological site protection, tourism sector regulation, digital transformation initiatives, and plans to integrate hotel reservation systems into a unified digital platform aimed at improving tourism services and visitor experiences in Petra.

//Petra// RZ