Khaberni -Tourism Minister Lina Annab announced that the tourism income in Jordan recorded its highest level in ten years during the first half of this year, despite regional challenges that cast a shadow over the sector.
This was stated during a meeting of the Parliamentary Tourism and Antiquities Committee, yesterday in the House of Representatives, attended by representatives of the tourism sector, according to Al-Ghad.
Annab confirmed that the regional crisis had a direct impact on many tourist sites, prompting the ministry to set up an emergency room to address the fallout and devise quick solutions.
She said: "Our biggest fears were for the labor and tourist establishments that were significantly affected," noting that the government provided various incentives to support the establishments, including facilities for obtaining loans.
Regarding some criticisms of the figures released by the sector, Annab emphasized the necessity of not doubting the tourism statistics, affirming that they are issued by official authorities and according to internationally recognized standards. She also expected a rise in tourism income by
15% during last June.
The minister highlighted that the tourism sector has shown high flexibility in handling crises, praising the role of resumed flights in boosting the flow of tourists to the kingdom.
Annab revealed that the number of visitors to Petra city increased by 13% during the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, confirming that the ministry continues to work to reinvigorate inbound tourism.
She also called for enhancing the partnership between the Ministry of Tourism and the Petra Regional Authority to develop the sector and improve tourism conditions in the city, pointing to the importance of forming joint programmatic plans to increase tourist numbers and preserve Petra's archaeological sites.
Annab mentioned that the ministry’s door is open to the private sector, to provide all forms of support possible within the ministry's capabilities, adding: "We need a unified and positive narrative to reassure the world and attract tourists from various countries."
Regarding the exemption of five-star hotels in Petra from the incentives, Annab said that the ministry is reviewing the decision in light of declining occupancy rates, affirming that some violations will be reconsidered based on their size and impact, as part of supporting the affected establishments.
Haddad: The decline in tourism is a tax on national stances
For his part, the chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism and Antiquities, MP Wasfi Haddad, stated that the decline in tourist numbers and the challenges facing the sector are a "tax on Jordan's honorable stances."
Haddad emphasized the need to direct support to the most affected sites, including Petra, Madaba, and Wadi Rum, pointing out that Petra city alone witnessed about 95% of cancellations, and a number of hotel establishments were forced to close due to weak demand.
He called for a review of penalties imposed on some establishments, especially those experiencing exceptional circumstances, stressing the importance of seeking new tourism markets to compensate for the decline. He also urged for directing the "Our Jordan is a Paradise" program towards the affected sites to revitalize and support their establishments.
Arabiyat: We propose funding from the Petra Authority to support establishments
In turn, the General Manager of the Jordan Tourism Board, Dr. Abdul Razzaq Arabiyat, suggested that the Petra Regional Authority obtain a loan secured by ticket income, aimed at supporting the affected establishments under specific collection mechanisms until they recover.
He added that flights would resume for passengers during October next, noting that communication is ongoing with low-cost airlines to offer their services before that date, perhaps during the coming month.
Halalat: The indicators do not reflect the actual reality
On his part, the Vice President of the Jordan Hotel Association, Hussein Halalat, stated that the growth figures in tourism are not actually reflected on the sector's performance, describing the situation by saying: "The sector is devastated, and a drowning person does not fear getting wet."
He explained that the crisis has been ongoing for about 22 months, and the tourist cities like Petra, Madaba, and Wadi Rum are severely suffering.
He mentioned that insurance companies refuse to cover Petra’s hotels because they consider it a troubled sector, adding that quick solutions include deferring loans, fees, and taxes.
Al-Qasim: Qualified labor is essential for recovery
In the same context, a member of the Jordan Hotel Association and a tourism expert, Mohammed Al-Qasim, emphasized the necessity of preserving qualified labor in the sector, considering that trained staff form a fundamental pillar in providing a positive experience for tourists.
Al-Qasim called for providing direct support to the workforce in the most affected tourism sites, to ensure their continuity and transfer experience to tourists and visitors of the kingdom.
