Cashing in on tourism boom

Jordan's tourism sector continues to boom, as revenues are on the rise amidst an ever growing number of tourists.

Jordan’s tourism revenues increased to JD3.47 billion by the end of November 2019, registering a 9.4-per cent increase when compared with the same period in 2018, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Majd Shweikeh said that a total of 4,535,496 visitors have entered Jordan this year, an increase of 7.6 per cent compared with 2018. Meanwhile, the number of overnight tourists has reached a total of 3,816,563, an increase of 7.2 per cent.

The rise in revenues and number of visitors to the Kingdom is good news that necessitates more effort to intensify promotional campaigns, building on the Kingdom's strengths, including the abundance of marvellous and exotic tourist attractions, such as Wadi Rum and Petra.

The country's outstanding safety and security, the warm hospitality of Jordanians as well as the country's good weather year-round and the availability of charter and low-cost flights to Jordan make the Kingdom a favoured destination.

According to the minister, several tourist sites have witnessed an increase in footfall, including the rose-red city of Petra, which was lit up with festivities to celebrate the arrival of its millionth visitor of 2019 in November.

Other sites have also witnessed a similar increase, as Jerash saw 390,425 visitors at a 42.4-per cent increase, while Karak received 39,888 visitors, registering a 79.7-per cent rise when compared with last year. Similarly, Wadi Rum welcomed 295,555 visitors, an increase of 42.4 per cent, and Al Maghtas (the Baptism Site) saw 149,414 visitors, an increase of 30.2 per cent. 

With these latest impressive figures, the tourism sector in Jordan continues to flourish, reaching new heights while looking forward to bright prospects in the future.

Jordan can do more to propel the sector’s success, including continued improvement of services at tourist sites, maintaining competitive hotel prices, especially for groups, and reaching out to new markets.