Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - His Majesty King Abdullah II on Thursday called for cooperation with UNESCO and other international organisations to preserve Petra's status as a world heritage site.

The King spoke during the inauguration ceremony of the Petra Visitors Centre in the Ma’an governorate, where he met the president and members of the Petra Development and Tourism Regional Authority (PDTRA).

King Abdullah stressed sound planning that addresses environmental issues and takes into consideration population and tourism growth in the Petra region.

He called for a partnership involving the local community, civil society institutions and the private sector to achieve sustainable development that ensures the provision of tourism services and creation of jobs in the Petra region.

Any future projects or measures concerning the Petra Archaeological Reserve and developmental scheme, he said, should proceed in cooperation with UNESCO, the UN cultural organisation, and other relevant international organisations.

During the meeting, attended by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, PDTRA president Mohammad Nawafleh said the authority would carry out investment projects to turn the southern Petra region into a tourist destination that rises to the ancient city's global reputation.

He said those efforts are focused on developing and diversifying the tourism product, adding that two tenders had been awarded to determine tourism projects and draw up an investment map for the region.

*Petra