STORY: Jordan's Petra celebrates 17th anniversary as one of world's new 7 wonders
SHOOTING TIME: July 7, 2024
DATELINE: July 9, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:32
LOCATION: PETRA, Jordan
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the celebrations
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JEAN-PAUL DE LA FUENTE, Director of New7Wonders Foundation
3. various of the celebrations
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): FARES BRAIZAT, Chief commissioner of Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority
5. various of the celebrations
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JULIA, Tourist
7. various of the celebrations

STORYLINE:

Petra, an ancient Nabataean city in southern Jordan, on Sunday held a ceremony to celebrate its 17th anniversary of becoming one of the world's New Seven Wonders.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JEAN-PAUL DE LA FUENTE, Director of New7Wonders Foundation
"It was chosen to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Since then, Petra has been able to take advantage of what's called 'the Wonder effect' when the places that are chosen Wonders see incredible growth in their socio-economic development. I think this is a fundamental part of the future as well for Petra and Jordan."

The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) illuminated the main path of the city from the Visitors' Center, through iconic landmarks like the Siq, the Treasury and the Theater, to the Court.

Since becoming one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, Petra has received an increasing number of tourists worldwide.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): FARES BRAIZAT, Chief commissioner of Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority
"Petra as one of the seven wonders of the world has added quite a lot to Petra, including making it a global destination for tourists. The number of tourists has increased significantly today. Last year, we received more than one million visitors to Petra. Had it not been for the war, probably we would have received this year more than one million (visitors). Once that is settled, we expect tourists to come back in big numbers."

Sunday's event also featured folkloric performances and folk bands in the area of the tourist road.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JULIA, Tourist
"It's my second time to Petra. My first visit was amazing, but I (came) in the daytime. (This is) the first time I come here in the nighttime. It's a nice show. I wish to come back here again. I like it so much."
  
Petra was inscribed on the UNESCO list in 1985.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Petra, Jordan.
(XHTV)