Amman: Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Lina Annab, met with Australian Ambassador to Jordan, Bernard Lynch, at the ministry’s headquarters to discuss ways to strengthen tourism and archaeological cooperation between the two countries and explore new partnership opportunities in these fields.
According to Jordan News Agency, the discussions focused on attracting more Australian tourists to Jordan through various tourism offerings, including cultural, adventure, and eco-tourism. They also explored the possibility of launching student exchange programs in tour guiding and mountaineering areas in which Australia excels, aiming to enhance cultural and professional exchanges between the two nations.
During the meeting, attended by the ministry’s Secretary-General Dr. Fadi Bal’awi, Annab highlighted the growing potential for collaboration, noting a 7% increase in Australian tourist arrivals to Jordan in the first month of this year. This, she stated, underscores the importance of further efforts to attract more visitors from Australia.
She also emphasized the significant contributions of Australian archaeologists to excavations and research at Jordanian heritage sites. Among them is Professor David Kennedy from the University of Western Australia, who has worked in Jordan since 1988 and played a crucial role in documenting Middle Eastern archaeological sites through pioneering aerial photography projects.
Ambassador Lynch reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation, praising joint archaeological projects such as those at Pella (Tabaqat Fahl), Amman Citadel, and Jerash. He highlighted the value of these projects in fostering academic and scientific exchanges between the two countries.
The ambassador announced the organization of academic seminars featuring Australian archaeologists who have conducted research in Jordan. As part of these efforts, Professor Stephen Burke will visit the Kingdom to deliver lectures on his excavation work.
This meeting took place as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between Jordan and Australia, established in 1975. The two countries share a warm relationship, bolstered by strong political and cultural ties as well as ongoing collaborations in the tourism and heritage sectors.
Additionally, Australian and Jordanian institutions have maintained over 50 years of archaeological research cooperation, reflecting their shared commitment to preserving cultural heritage and fostering academic understanding.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Ambassador Lynch presented Minister Annab with a copy of the book “Made Under Fire: Celebrating a Lasting Partnership,” published by the Australian Embassy in 2022, to commemorate over a century of friendship and cooperation between Jordan and Australia. He emphasized the depth of bilateral relations and expressed his country’s eagerness for further collaboration in the future.