Amman: Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab recently held a meeting with Roxane Weber, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), and her delegation to explore avenues for enhancing tourism and cultural cooperation between Jordan and Italy.
According to Jordan News Agency, the meeting was attended by Italian Ambassador to Jordan Luciano Pezzotti and the ministry’s Secretary-General Fadi Balawi. Discussions centered around initiatives such as the Regional Center for the Conservation of Archaeological Artifacts in Jerash, progress on the Machaerus and Abila projects, an inclusive tourism project grant in Jerash, and the Roman Amphitheater Museum project in downtown Amman.
Annab conveyed her appreciation to the Italian Ambassador for his role in supporting the “Jordan: Dawn of Christianity” exhibition at the Vatican and underscored the significance of the Jerash Regional Center, which has graduated 15 trainees. She emphasized the importance of implementing best practices and developing a comprehensive strategy for the center’s effective and sustainable operation.
Weber expressed AICS’s commitment to offering technical support in training and qualification, leveraging its expertise in heritage conservation and restoration. Martino Costa, Head of Programs at the Agency, and Claudia Tedeschi, the archaeological advisor, were also present and highlighted the need for ongoing collaboration to safeguard cultural and archaeological heritage while advancing the tourism sector.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming the importance of continued cooperation to enhance tourism and preserve cultural heritage, recognizing the role of these initiatives in supporting sustainable development and strengthening Jordan’s position on the global tourism map.