Beijing: The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) participated in the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) Autumn Summit 2026, which commenced in the Chinese capital, Beijing. The high-level summit brought together municipal leaders, destination management executives, and international tourism organizations from across the globe.
According to Jordan News Agency, PDTRA Chief Commissioner Adnan Al-Sawayers emphasized the significance of this participation in solidifying Petra's standing on the global tourism map and unlocking new avenues of cooperation with international industry partners. "The summit serves as a premier venue to examine the latest global tourism trends and forge strategic partnerships with leading tourism cities and organizations," Al-Sawayers stated. "These collaborative efforts are essential to upgrading the visitor experience in Petra and advancing the long-term sustainability of our local tourism sector." He added that PDTRA's membership in the WTCF acts as a vital platform to project Petra's international presence as a world-class heritage destination, offering valuable opportunities to exchange expertise in tourism innovation, destination management, and cultural heritage preservation.
Al-Sawayers also highlighted that the official induction of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) into the federation during this summit - making it the second Jordanian city to secure membership - marks a qualitative addition that will significantly bolster joint marketing initiatives for Jordan's "Golden Triangle" tourist circuit on the global stage.
The World Tourism Cities Federation comprises 263 member cities and 136 tourism-related institutions worldwide. Petra has been an active member of the federation since 2017, a strategic relationship that has expanded its institutional network with prominent international destinations and enabled the adoption of global best practices in sustainable tourism.
This participation aligns with PDTRA's ongoing institutional strategies to amplify the Rose City's profile in international forums and build robust partnerships that support sustainable economic development while safeguarding the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the Petra archaeological site.