AMMAN — In light of the evolution in the tourism
sector and an envisaged increase in the number of sightseers, more hotels must
be built in various governorates near historic and biblical attractions to
encourage visitors for extended stays, experts argued.
اضافة اعلان
They said that higher-end hotels are mostly found in
certain governorates, such as the capital Amman, Aqaba, and the
Dead Sea. But
they are barely found in other sites, like the central city of Madaba, which
was recently named the Arab Tourism Capital for 2022, and northern governorates
such as Ajloun, which is characterized by its picturesque scenery.
Tourist guide Atef Al-Zaidan told
Jordan
News that investors could be interested to build luxurious hotels,
but are “anxious” that business activity will “seasonal”, limited to certain
times of the year.
“Madaba, for instance, needs more hotels,” he said.
“Decision- makers must develop marketing and advertising plans to publicize
this city and other cities that are distinguished by the splendor of heritage
to shed light on their importance on both the Arab and international levels.”
“This will encourage investors to establish new
hotels there,” he suggested.
Awni Kawar, president of the Jordan
Inbound Tour Operators Association, said that the capital city in all countries worldwide is
usually “characterized as the most attractive, with the least risk, for
investments”.
He pointed out that for investors to put in some
cash “requires good services and infrastructure to be present”.
Investor Nidal Malo Al-Ain questioned why there were
so many hotels in one area of Amman, the Fifth Circle.
“This puts pressure on the infrastructure of the
area,” he said.
“We must provide incentives, and encourage investors
to build similar projects in suburban areas to avoid overcrowding,” he noted.
Madaba, he said, needs more hotels “because it is
characterized by an active tourist movement, and sometimes the occupancy rate
there is even higher than that in Amman”.
He stressed that investors “worry” will be soothed,
if the government “provided exemptions, and better incentives in energy, taxes
and customs.”
Ahmad Al-Rifai, a spokesperson for the
Ministry of Tourism, said that the ministry “encourages investment in suburbs”.
“We call on investors to establish three or
four-star hotels in various areas to attract more tourists,” he said.
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