Khaberni - Minister of Transport Dr. Nidal Al-Qatamine chaired a meeting on Tuesday at the ministry's headquarters to discuss the main challenges facing the tourist transport sector and international transport companies.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohammad Al-Khlaileh, the head of the Parliamentary Transport and Services Committee, Deputy Dr. Ayman Al-Badadweh, the Ministry's Secretary-General Fares Abu Dayyeh, and the Director of the Land Transport Regulatory Commission Engineer Riyad Al-Kharabsheh, along with the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Yazan Al-Khudairi, the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Al-Kloub, in addition to representatives of the tourist transport and bus rental sector.
Al-Qatamine listened to the demands of the tourist transport companies concerning the decision to stop the entry of Jordanian buses into Saudi territory during the Hajj season, and its repercussions on the tourist transport sector, Jordanian pilgrims, and those coming from Palestine and the Arab 48 pilgrims who rely on Jordan for their journey to the Holy Land.
Al-Qatamine affirmed that the government, under the direction of Prime Minister Dr. Jafar Hassan, is actively following up on this issue through the ministries of Transport, Awqaf, Tourism, and Foreign Affairs, pointing to ongoing communication with the Saudi side to discuss ways to reverse the decision, considering the circumstances of the elderly pilgrims and supporting the affected transport companies already suffering from the consequences of regional crises.
Minister of Awqaf explained that the government is making intensive efforts to persuade our brothers in Saudi Arabia to reconsider the decision due to the hardships it causes for pilgrims and the increased cost of transportation, affirming the Foreign Ministry's follow-up on the issue with the concerned Saudi entities.
Deputy Al-Badadweh pointed out that the decision poses a significant challenge to the tourist transport sector, which supports thousands of families, confirming the coordination of efforts between the government and the House of Representatives to address the issue through official and diplomatic channels.
Representatives of the sector indicated that the decision threatens the investments of the tourist and international transport sectors and affects the workers in this sector, calling for intensified efforts to ensure the continuous entry of Jordanian buses into Saudi territory during the Hajj season to preserve the interests of the sector and the comfort of the pilgrims.
