• A tourist poses for a photo while riding a camel before the site of the Treasury at the ruins of the ancient Nabatean city of Petra in southern Jordan on December 12, 2022. - After years in which the Covid pandemic turned the storied "Rose City" into a ghost town, Jordan tourism authorities confirm that Petra, famous for its stunning temples hewn out of the rose-pink cliff faces, is back in business and drew 900,000 visitors last year, close to the previous record of one million set in 2019. (Photo by Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP)
    A tourist poses for a photo while riding a camel before the site of the Treasury at the ruins of the ancient Nabatean city of Petra in southern Jordan on December 12, 2022. - After years in which the Covid pandemic turned the storied "Rose City" into a ghost town, Jordan tourism authorities confirm that Petra, famous for its stunning temples hewn out of the rose-pink cliff faces, is back in business and drew 900,000 visitors last year, close to the previous record of one million set in 2019. (Photo by Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP)
  • After years in which the Covid pandemic turned the storied 'Rose City' into a ghost town, Jordan tourism authorities confirm that Petra is back in business.
    After years in which the Covid pandemic turned the storied 'Rose City' into a ghost town, Jordan tourism authorities confirm that Petra is back in business.
  • The country received 4.6 million visitors in 2022 - almost four times the level from 2020 - earning $5.3 billion
    The country received 4.6 million visitors in 2022 - almost four times the level from 2020 - earning $5.3 billion
  • Camel guide Hussien Bdoul, 35, says: "At the time of the coronavirus pandemic, we did not see anyone in Petra. Ninety per cent of people here work in tourism."
    Camel guide Hussien Bdoul, 35, says: "At the time of the coronavirus pandemic, we did not see anyone in Petra. Ninety per cent of people here work in tourism."
  • Petra, famous for its stunning temples hewn out of the rose-pink cliff faces, is a UN World Heritage site.
    Petra, famous for its stunning temples hewn out of the rose-pink cliff faces, is a UN World Heritage site.
  • The ancient city was built in 312 BC as the capital of the ancient Arab kingdom of the Nabateans, which fell to the Romans in 106 BC. It remained unknown in the West until a Swiss traveller visited it in 1812.
    The ancient city was built in 312 BC as the capital of the ancient Arab kingdom of the Nabateans, which fell to the Romans in 106 BC. It remained unknown in the West until a Swiss traveller visited it in 1812.
  • Alia, a 16-year-old French tourist, views souvenirs being sold by a vendor at a stall in the ruins of the ancient Nabatean city of Petra.
    Alia, a 16-year-old French tourist, views souvenirs being sold by a vendor at a stall in the ruins of the ancient Nabatean city of Petra.
  • About 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.
    About 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.
  • Suleiman Farajat, head of the Petra Development and Tourism Regional Authority, says the post-pandemic tourism comeback has exceeded all expectations.
    Suleiman Farajat, head of the Petra Development and Tourism Regional Authority, says the post-pandemic tourism comeback has exceeded all expectations.
  • The recovery was helped by official promotional campaigns in new overseas markets, low-cost airline flights and new hotel rooms.
    The recovery was helped by official promotional campaigns in new overseas markets, low-cost airline flights and new hotel rooms.
  • Tourists tour the ruins of the ancient Nabatean city of Petra.
    Tourists tour the ruins of the ancient Nabatean city of Petra.

MENA

Jordan

Tourists return to the wonders of Petra - in pictures

The Covid-19 pandemic turned Jordan's Rose City into a ghost town but visitors are now returning

The National

January 21, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

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The 10 Questions
  • Is there a God?
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  • What is inside a black hole?
  • Can we predict the future?
  • Is time travel possible?
  • Will we survive on Earth?
  • Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
  • Should we colonise space?
  • Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
  • How do we shape the future?

At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17

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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest

Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.

Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.

Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.

Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.

Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.

Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia

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Updated: January 21, 2023, 8:58 AM
JordanTourism