Adnan Al-Sawa'er, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA), stated that hotel bookings in Petra dropped by approximately 80% of total capacity during April. Furthermore, cancellation rates for May have reached about 50%, driven by the repercussions of regional conditions on tourism.
اضافة اعلان
Al-Sawa'er told "Al-Mamlaka" that while the tourism sector in Petra began 2026 with positive indicators, these figures later plummeted—reaching near-zero levels at times—due to regional tensions. He emphasized that Petra is among the areas most affected, as its local economy relies primarily on tourism.
Current Status of Hotels
Al-Sawa'er clarified that all hotels in Petra are operating regularly without interruption. He noted that while struggling hotels had their statuses rectified in the past, no hotels are currently closed due to regional circumstances or declining tourist numbers. He encouraged visitors to experience the "Rose Red City" and its moderate weather to help stimulate the local economy.
Recovery Efforts and Domestic Tourism
Regarding recovery, the current focus is on boosting domestic tourism through the "Urdun Jannah" program. In its first week, the program saw:
5,400 participants across 168 trips.
Involvement of 168 tour guides, 43 travel agencies, 20 restaurants, and 30 hotels and camps.
950 participants specifically utilizing overnight programs in Petra.
Additionally, the PDTRA, in cooperation with the Jordan Tourism Board, is working to attract foreign expatriates living in Gulf countries and Egypt via land routes. They are also considering a proposal to reduce entry fees for non-Jordanians to stimulate demand.
Government Support Measures
To protect the sector and its workforce, the Cabinet has decided that the government will cover the interest on financial facilities granted to tourism establishments. This aims to help them cover operating expenses, particularly staff salaries. Furthermore, the rescheduling and installment of financial obligations have been facilitated until the end of 2026.
Petra's total hotel capacity is estimated at approximately 5,000 rooms. These measures are part of a national priority to sustain the tourism sector, protect existing investments, and maintain job stability amidst regional challenges.
