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The New 7 Wonders World Tour Arrives to Jordan

Petra Officially Nominated to Become one of the
New Seven Wonders of the World

(Amman, Jordan 16 January, 2006) Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah received Petra’s official candidacy certificate to the final leg of the “New Seven Wonders of the World” competition. The certificate was presented by the founder of the project Mr. Bernard Weber during a “re-enactment of life in Petra” event organized by the Jordan Tourism Board on Tuesday, January 16, 2007. The Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) organized this event to take the “New Seven Wonders of the World” committee and the media back in time and give them a feel of what the glorious city of Petra was like 2,000 years ago. After a tour of the “rose-red city”, Mr. Weber held a press conference to answer the media’s questions and inquiries.

Previously, Her Majesty said, "We Jordanians are proud to be the custodians of the stunning heritage of the Nabatean people. Indeed, we feel that many of our modern Jordanian national characteristics are notably similar to those of the ancient Nabateans. Like them, we have carved out a special and unique role as a bridge between diverse regions and cultures. And like them, we are a peaceful culture committed to international commerce and dialogue"

”The magical rose-red city of Petra is like nothing else on earth. It is a remarkable testimony to the human spirit, etched for all time in sandstone and shale," said the Queen.

"Petra is more than just an archeological treasure," said the Queen, "Petra, I believe, offers an enduring message to all mankind. In Petra, human beings – ordinary mortals like you and me – saw potential beauty and grandeur in walls of sheer stone. They imagined the possibility of elegance and splendor where others would see only a barren and desolate wilderness."

“Petra’s nomination to this international competition is an appreciation of this grand historic and cultural site, and shall place the rose-red city on its well deserved spot on the international tourism and heritage map, among other wonders of the world”. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Usama Dabbas was quoted. “The cabinet’s decision to form a higher committee for the nomination of Petra portrays the government’s commitment to support this important initiative, which is expected to reflect positively on the national tourism sector”, he stated. The committee is chaired by the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities with directors of Jordan Tourism Board and different media, tourism and cultural affairs organizations as members.

“Petra is a living testament of the greatest wonders ever wrought by nature and man. It’s already often described as the “eighth” wonder of the ancient world. Now over 2,000 years later, it’s our duty as Jordanians to support the voting for Petra and ensure it is crowned as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. This will positively reflect on the Tourism sector in particular, and consequently on the national economy”, said the Managing Director of JTB Mazen Homoud.

Mr. Bernard Weber, the founder of the “New Seven Wonders of the World” initiative, expressed his and the Committee’s admiration of Petra and its history, and stated that his visit to Petra is part of the committee’s world wide tour visiting the 21 final candidates.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and Jordan Tourism Board have launched a national “Vote for Petra" campaign in November 2006. A wide spectrum of Jordanian tourism, culture, and commercial as well as Non for profit organizations participate in this national drive. The campaign included media programs and reports in addition to advertisements in key newspapers, magazines and Jordanian radio stations and television and many more activities to be carried out during the next six months. An international campaign spearheaded by JTB’s representative offices abroad and by Jordanian Embassies worldwide, was launched earlier.

The re-enactment event, which is part of the national “Vote for Petra” campaign, brought to life scenes from Petra’s day to day culture, people and trade as could have been seen 2,000 years ago, by transforming the Treasury area into a traditional market place featuring the Nabatean era.

The Jerash Heritage Co. Ltd RACE (The Roman army and chariot experience) contributed in this historical event by organizing the Treasury event as well as a Roman army show at the Roman theatre, where the legionaries (representing the Nabateans and local Romans) presented their weapons, battle formations and tactics. This Roman / Nabatean combination reflects the rich history of Petra which was built by the Nabateans and ruled by the Romans two centuries afterwards.

”We are keen on making the “New Seven Wonders of the World” committee’s visit to Jordan as memorable as possible by sharing the history and beauty of Petra with them in a way that reflects our pride in it as Jordanians,” concluded Mr. Mazen Homoud.

The Jordan Tourism Board hopes to turn the “Bringing Petra to life” program into a frequently held activity at the rose-red city, to enrich the tourist’s experience and market this magnificent historical milestone.