Jordan has infrastructure development and various schemes in the pipeline for boosting tourism

Thursday, March 8, 2018

In Jordan, extensive activities and schemes are either under implementation or in their planning stages for boosting the tourism sector. His Majesty King Abdullah has greatly paid attention to the tourism sector of the country as per officials and industry stakeholders.

 
The tourism sector, which contributes 11 per cent to the country’s economy annually, is now a priority for the Monarch who aims to promote the array of tourist attractions in Jordan and uphold the sector’s significance to the Kingdom.

 
Attention is being paid regarding upgrading infrastructure, increasing the number of hotel rooms, launching new tourism products and more affordable flights to Jordan for tapping great potential in the tourism sector. The sector directly employs 51,000 individuals of whom 82.5 per cent are Jordanians along with tens of thousands of indirect jobs.

 
This year, several tourism facilities would be inaugurated. Geocopters will start operating which will give a great aerial view of the “Golden Triangle”, the triumvirate of Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum. Budget flights to Jordan from across Europe will start in two weeks and intensive marketing campaigns will be launched.

 
In an interview, His Majesty King Abdullah said, “Tourism’s role in the economy is huge, and impacts many downstream industries.”

 
“King Abdullah is aware to the great economic importance of the tourism sector to Jordan and has repeatedly issued directives to improve the sector and attract more tourists… Since His Majesty’s accession to the Throne, several major achievements were accomplished in the tourism sector,” Tourism Ministry Secretary General Issa Gammoh said.

 
Projects are under way to increase the number of hotel rooms across the Kingdom, which is a key issue that will help increase the growing number of tourists. Currently, there are around 28,000 hotel rooms in Jordan but they are inadequate to meet the demand and are unequally distributed.

 
Around 92 per cent of the tourism facilities are located in Amman, Aqaba and the Dead Sea and around 90 per cent of tourism workers are present in these three locations.

 
By 2021, there will be an additional 8,000 hotel rooms in various locations under various projects that will create 16,000 new jobs. Several world-class hotels will be opened soon in Jordan.

 
Regarding budget flights, Jordan has signed a deal with Ryanair and positive results are expected soon.

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