Khaberni - Last month, the ancient city of Petra recorded an increase in visitor numbers, reaching 81,046 visitors, an increase of 71 percent compared to the same month last year, including 49,910 foreign visitors, an increase of 99 percent, according to a report from the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority.
The report stated that the increase in visitor numbers reflects an acceleration in the pace of tourism recovery and the regaining of momentum after the regional and global challenges faced by the sector in recent years.
It noted that the significant growth was a result of improved regional conditions after the cessation of the war on Gaza, which restored confidence in the regional and global tourism markets and increased the rates of visitors to the Kingdom and Petra in particular, being a safe global destination known for an integrated tourist experience that combines history, nature, and excellent service.
The report indicated that foreign visitors constituted the largest proportion of total visitors at 62 percent, 49,910 visitors, while 16,795 visitors participated in the "Jordan is a Paradise" program, 3,158 were Arabs, alongside 2,446 student visitors, and 1,406 residents in the Kingdom.
The statistics showed an 82 percent increase in Arab visitors, while the average daily increase in visitor numbers was 39 percent, and there was a 19 percent increase in the number of extended visit tickets, indicating a growing desire among tourists to spend more time in the Rose City.
Friday, October 24th last month saw the highest number of visitors during the month, totaling 4,957, with the United States leading the foreign countries visiting Petra with 6,726 visitors, followed by the United Kingdom with 4,492 visitors, then France with 4,253, Russia with 3,483, and Germany with 2,944 visitors.
The number of visitors to the Petra Museum reached 16,925, while electric vehicles performed 5,421 trips towards the Treasury and various viewpoints, indicating a rise in interest in environmentally friendly tourism services implemented by the authority.
Dr. Fares Al Breizat, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Authority, confirmed that these results mark a pivotal turning point in the tourism performance of Petra, and that the return of visitors in such promising numbers confirms that Petra remains a global symbol of tourism and human heritage, which drives the Authority to continue building on these figures to achieve further growth and sustainability.
He pointed out that the rising number of visitors is beginning to show positively on the local sectors and service providers, such as hotels that have mostly resumed operations, tour guides, antique shops, bazaars, the Horse and Camel Association, and other associations and service providers, in addition to the commercial sector in the area.
Al Breizat added that the Authority is working within a comprehensive strategic vision based on developing infrastructure, improving the quality of tourism services, and enhancing the sustainability of resources, to keep pace with the expected increase in visitor numbers in the coming phase.
