King inaugurates Petra visitor centre

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday inaugurated Petra’s visitor centre in the southern governorate of Maan.

At a meeting with members of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA), the King asserted the need to deal with all environment problems and keep abreast of population and tourism growth in the city through sound planning. 

He also underscored the importance of partnership between civil society institutions and the private sector to achieve sustainable development, according to a Royal Court statement. 

His Majesty noted that any future projects pertaining to the Petra Archaeological Park and its development plans should be done in coordination and in partnership with UNESCO and concerned international organisations, taking the studies on environmental impact into account, to preserve the historic status of the city. 

At the meeting, which was attended by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, PDTRA Chief Commissioner Mohammad Nawafleh said the authority will implement investment projects to transform the region into a tourist attraction that promotes the city and its high reputation. 

Briefing the King on the authority’s projects, Nawafleh said the authority has already referred two tenders related to tourist projects to contractors. 

Other proposed projects include the establishment of a conference hall, cable car, a park and an equestrian field, he added. 

Nawafleh also highlighted UNESCO’s accomplishments to safeguard the city’s heritage. 

Moreover, he highlighted a solar-powered electricity generation plant that has started operating in Petra in June this year.

The plant, funded by the Mitsubishi Company, seeks to generate 250 kilowatts per hour to provide power to restaurants, museums, and tourist facilities and eliminate environment pollution.

Also on Thursday, His Majesty laid the foundation stone for the Petra Museum, funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency at a cost of JD7 million.