A U.S. Congress delegation visited Petra hoping for cultural understanding and dialogue between the two nations.
A Republican and a Democrat member of Congress traveled together to Petra, Jordan. They experienced the magic this ancient city can do in teaching its visitors harmony, history, and peace.
Petra, known as the Rose City, comprises intricately carved caves, temples, and tombs made from pink sandstone in Jordan’s desert around 2,000 years ago. The ancient city, concealed by time and sand, reveals the tale of a vanished civilization. The Nabateans, a nomadic group from the desert, established their prosperous kingdom in these cliffs and mountains through the profitable incense trade, though little is known about them.
The U.S. congressional delegation, Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Florida), visited Petra to deepen their understanding of Jordan’s heritage and its pivotal role in the Middle East.
Dr. Fares Braizat and Petra officials hosted the visit, emphasizing the importance of USAID projects supporting sustainable tourism and preserving Petra’s cultural legacy. USAID projects have significantly impacted great work for Jordan’s tourism and many other sectors, but Tourism resonates with me and our family business.
USAID was recently eliminated by US President Trump with a stroke of his signature on an executive order. It can be hoped that Congress members Wasserman Schultz and Ernst, both with a German-sounding name, will take this message back to Washington and President Trump, with a message that America can be Great Again, looking beyond its borders.
The delegation also explored the role of travel, understanding the importance of educating U.S. policymakers about Jordan’s history, culture, and contributions to regional stability. Jordan is a great friend of the USA, and Petra continues to be the jewel that anchors Jordan’s global appeal.
The United States is a major travel and tourism destination for Jordan. Even during the Israel-Gaza conflict, Jordan remained a safe, peaceful, and special country to visit. Tourism is a business of peace and a tool to maintain stability, which is so important for the region and the United States.
Mona Naffa, an American Jordanian living in Amman, hopes her fellow Americans will take this message home and make it a symbol of hope for Jordan’s hurting travel and tourism industry. It is also a testimony to how Democrats and Republicans can work together, especially if it means traveling to such a special place in the world of tourism.
There are opportunities for Americans to see a country where hospitality is a given, food is great, and culture is unbeatable.
One World member Royal Jordanian Airlines operates direct flights from Amman to several U.S. gateways, and Jordan welcomes every American visitor with open arms, and an experience one can only get in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.