An international tourism expert, Ibrahim Osta is currently chief of party for USAID’s Jordan Building Economic Sustainability through Tourism Project and on the Panel of International Tourism Advisors for the U.N. World Tourism Organization. He has led USAID tourism development projects in Jordan since 2005. As the chief of party for the Jordan Tourism Development Project and its successor projects, Mr. Osta managed a wide portfolio of initiatives aimed at enhancing tourism in Jordan. These initiatives have included global tourism promotion; heritage site conservation at Petra, Jerash, and Wadi Rum; community-based development; vocational training in tourism and hospitality; destination promotion; and visitor services. Previously, Mr. Osta was Senior Policy Advisor for the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and served as Public Affairs Advisor for the Minister of Water and Irrigation. He has managed a USAID initiative to strengthen the management skills of Jordanian private sector leaders, supported trade and economic development initiatives like the Jordan-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, and built the capacity of the Jordan Tourism Board. Mr. Osta holds a Bachelor of Finance and Economics from the University of Michigan, a Master of Tourism Administration from George Washington University, and Postgraduate Certificate in International Business Law from the University of London
