Petra joins World Tourism Cities Federation

Amman, Sept.25(Petra) -- The red rose city of Petra was officially announced a member of the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), Chief Commissioner of Petra Development Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) Mohammed Nawafla said on Monday.

The announcement, which came during "WTCF Los Angeles Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit held last in California ," will help boost the presence of Petra on the world tourism map and develop cultural exchange between the city and the world's archaeological cities, Nawafla said.

A major event with the aim to promote tourism and investment in the ancient city, will be held with the participation of PDTRA and other world tourisim investors, he further added.

Located 262km south of Amman, Petra is the most important site and tourism attraction in Jordan, visited by tourists from all over the world. The ancient city was selected as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 and a World Heritage Site since 1985.

PDTRA is a legal, financial and administrative independent authority, which was established in 2009 with the aim to develop tourism, economic, social, cultural sectors in the region, as well as to contribute to local community development.

WTCF, which was voluntarily formed in 2012 in Beijing, China by famous tourism cities and tourism-related institutions in the world under, is the world’s first international tourism organization focusing on cities.

The federation aims to facilitate exchange of tourism cooperation among members, spread the experience of tourism city development, promote tourism products and resources, as well as contribute to the development and prosperity of world tourism industry. Starting with 58 founding members, WTCF has now grown into an international tourism organization with 128 city members, 65 institutional members and 6 branches.