Tending to his camels in Petra, Jordan's spectacular archaeological marvel hidden deep in a desert canyon, Hussein Bdoul (pictured) is all smiles: the tourists are back. After years in which the Covid pandemic turned the storied "Rose City" into a ghost town, the father of seven is back at work, offering visitors rides on his decorated animals.
Image Credit: AFP
2 of 15
"Tourism has returned and the numbers are even greater," said Bdoul, 35, wearing Bedouin garb with a red keffiyeh scarf over his long black hair, reflecting on a resurgence last year.
Image Credit: AFP
3 of 15
"At the time of the coronavirus pandemic, we did not see anyone in Petra," said Bdoul - a disaster for the town where, he said, "90 per cent of people work in tourism".
Image Credit: AFP
4 of 15
Tourists tour the ruins of the ancient Nabatean city of Petra. Jordan tourism authorities confirm that Petra is back in business and drew 900,000 visitors last year, close to the record of one million set in 2019.
Image Credit: AFP
5 of 15
Jordan as a whole received 4.6 million visitors in 2022 - almost four times the level from 2020 - earning the country $5.3 billion.
Image Credit: AFP
6 of 15
Tourists in a group pose for a photo before the site of the Treasury at the ruins of the ancient Nabatean city of Petra.
Image Credit: AFP
7 of 15
Top draw Petra, famous for its stunning temples hewn out of the rose-pink cliff faces, is a United Nations World Heritage site and was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a 2007 online poll.
Image Credit: AFP
8 of 15
Petra was built in 312 BC as the capital of the ancient Arab kingdom of the Nabateans, which fell to the Romans in 106 BC.
Image Credit: AFP
9 of 15
The ancient city remained unknown in the West until a Swiss traveller visited it in 1812.
Image Credit: AFP
10 of 15
"This place and the colours are incredible," marvelled French student Alia, 16, (pictured) taking a break from exploring with her mother to check out a souvenir stand.
Image Credit: AFP
11 of 15
Siki, a 69-year-old retired Israeli tourist, at the ruins of the ancient Nabatean city of Petra.
Image Credit: AFP
12 of 15
Tourists tour the ruins of the ancient Nabatean city of Petra.
Image Credit: AFP
13 of 15
French tourist Alia stands near the Treasury in the ruins of the ancient Nabatean city of Petra.
Image Credit: AFP
14 of 15
Around 1,700 people make a living from Petra as tour guides, trinket sellers or by taking visitors through the site on donkeys, horses, camels or electric buggies.
Image Credit: AFP
15 of 15
Petra now has 4,000 rooms, and permits have been granted for three new five-star hotels, so capacity will soon almost double from 2019.
Image Credit: AFP
This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you.
Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.
