Jordan Strategy Forum session focuses on tourism

AMMAN — The Jordan Strategy Forum (JSF) on Wednesday held a dialogue session titled “Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Tourism Sector in Jordan” to discuss Jordan’s global position in the tourism sector and the role of tourism as an economic tool. 

The session, attended by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Majd Shweikeh, JSF representatives, stakeholders and the private sector aimed at pinpointing legislations that govern tourism in Jordan, defining the “boundaries” of the tourism industry and reviewing future plans in the light of accelerated development, JSF CEO Ibrahim Saif told The Jordan Times on Wednesday.

He noted that Jordan has a variety of tourism types, such as historical, cultural, religious and medical tourism and a growing adventure tourism industry.

The Kingdom’s tourism industry “has the potential to develop”, given Jordan’s clear strategy to improve its sectors, but focus must be on identifying and distinguishing strategies to build proper tourism infrastructure and complementary facilities to balance the number of tourists with the absorptive capacity of the sector, Saif added.

Global indicators show that more attention should be paid to the growing middle class and senior tourists, Saif said, highlighting recent expansion of adventure tourism in Jordan, which targets younger age groups. 

The private sector plays a “vital role” in tourism planning, and partnership between the private and public sectors will “contribute significantly” to the progress of the industry through improving the level of services and facilities to enhance Jordan’s competitiveness in tourism, according to the official.

“Based on what was said during the session, Jordan Strategy Forum will conduct a detailed study, which is considered the preliminary step,” the CEO said.