AMMAN — On Tuesday, The Minister of Tourism and
Antiquities, Makram Al-Qaiisi, expressed concerns about the negative impact of
the war in Gaza on the Jordanian economy, specifically the tourism sector,
discussing the challenges faced by the tourism industry in Jordan and outlined
measures to address the repercussions.
اضافة اعلان
During a press conference, Qaisi highlighted the
decline in the number of visitors to iconic sites such as Petra and Mount Nebo,
with an 80 percent drop in visitors to Petra since October 7, noting a tangible
decrease in hotel reservations and restaurant bookings. Despite these
challenges, he mentioned that Jordan had reached 5.937 million visitors,
exceeding annual expectations by 29 percent.
Furthermore, he discussed the impact on tourism income,
stating that Jordan recorded JD4.89 billion, surpassing the expected figures by
28 percent. He acknowledged the resilience of the Jordanian tourism sector,
pointing out that, before the crisis, the country achieved a three percent
increase over the region’s average.
In response to the economic challenges, Qaisi explained
that the government, through the General Social Security Corporation, would
work on deferring loans and interest for tourism-related companies facing
financial difficulties. He underscored the importance of collaboration and
dialogue with various stakeholders in the tourism sector to navigate the crisis
effectively.
He outlined plans to open new tourism markets, explore
opportunities in Africa, and strengthen ties with countries such as Russia,
Turkey, and others. He emphasized the need to diversify markets to minimize the
impact of crises and mentioned projects aimed at preserving and promoting
Jordan's rich archaeological heritage.
Additionally, he addressed the issue of consumer
boycotts affecting around 15,000 Jordanian workers employed in establishments
facing such measures, acknowledging that
boycotts are personal freedom but pointing out the negative repercussions on
Jordanian workers and production chains associated with the affected
institutions.
The minister stressed the government's efforts to
collaborate with financial institutions, including the Central Bank of Jordan
(CBJ), to support tourism projects and alleviate economic challenges. He
concluded by expressing confidence in Jordan's ability to overcome the crisis
and emerge stronger, citing the country's resilience in the face of previous
challenges.
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