Tourist Risks Fund to be run by private sector under gov’t supervision — minister

AMMAN — The Tourist Risks Fund will be run directly by the private sector under governmental supervision, Tourism Minister Nayef Fayez said on Thursday.

During a meeting with the tourism committee at the Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC), Fayez called on the sector to provide proposals that contribute to improving the fund’s regulations, which will be considered in preparing the first draft for establishing the fund, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The government had earlier announced launching the fund with a value of JD20 million to support the tourism sector and alleviate damages incurred by the sector as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fayez stressed that the ministry is working with all stakeholders towards exempting tourist facilities from licensing fees in 2021, in addition to adjourning the payment of electricity and water bills.

JCC President Nael Kabariti said that the tourism sector is a main partner in the national economy and is connected with a series of sectors, such that a negative effect on tourism reverberates through several other sectors.

Kabariti noted that challenges include suspending air flight and closure of airports, high transportation costs, stopping the umra (lesser Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca) seasons in addition to the Friday lockdown.

Head of the committee at the JCC Jamal Rifai said that the tourism sector contribution to the national economy in 2019 exceeded JD4 billion, in sharp contrast with the year 2020, which was much slower for tourism. He further expressed hope for a stronger economy in 2021.