The Director General of the Jordan Tourism Board, Ramzi Al-Maayta, confirmed that work is underway to resume low-cost flights to the Kingdom during the months of September or October, in a move aimed at supporting the tourism sector and increasing the number of visitors.
اضافة اعلان
Al-Maayta said in exclusive statements to Al-Ghad that the Authority continues to implement its plans to enhance the tools for promoting tourism in the Kingdom, foremost among them the reactivation of low-cost flight routes, in conjunction with the promotional campaigns it implemented during the World Cup matches, especially the matches played by the national team, which were invested in marketing Jordan as a distinguished tourist destination.
He added that the Tourism Promotion Authority, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, is making intensive efforts to restart low-cost flights, as they are one of the most prominent drivers for increasing visitor numbers and stimulating tourism, due to the lower-cost and more attractive travel options they provide to target markets.
Al-Maayta explained that the Authority, in partnership with the relevant parties in the public and private sectors, places the low-cost aviation file at the top of its priorities during the next stage, given its direct role in linking Jordan to new tourist markets and reducing the cost of access to the Kingdom, which enhances the competitiveness of the Jordanian tourism sector at the regional and international levels.
He pointed out that the next phase will witness practical steps to enhance Jordan’s presence on the global tourism map, through launching quality initiatives and building strategic partnerships that contribute to the sustainability of the sector’s growth and increase its contribution to the national economy.
He stressed that the tourism promotion strategy is not limited to traditional advertising campaigns, but extends to building a network of effective partnerships capable of conveying Jordan’s tourism image to major global markets, in light of the intensifying regional competition to attract tourists, and the rapid development in promotion programs adopted by many countries in the region.
Al-Maayta added that Jordan possesses diverse and unique tourism assets that combine cultural, religious and natural tourism, starting from Petra and Wadi Rum, passing through Aqaba, and reaching Jerash, Mukawir and Mount Nebo, in addition to the festivals and events hosted by the various governorates, which provides a strong base for expanding the Jordanian tourism product and attracting visitors throughout the year.
He indicated that the next phase will witness an intensification of the link between the tourism sector and the local economy, through supporting events and projects that enhance tourism spending and extend the visitor's stay, stressing that the Jordanian citizen and the private sector represent two key partners in promoting the Kingdom as a safe and distinguished tourist destination.
He also stressed the importance of supporting the Tourism Promotion Authority’s efforts during the current phase, enabling it to expand its marketing tools and implement more impactful campaigns in the targeted markets, especially in light of the intense competition with regional destinations that have large marketing budgets.
For his part, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Imad Hijazeen, said in previous statements to Al-Ghad last Thursday that negotiations are still ongoing with low-cost airlines to resume their flights to the Kingdom.
Hijazin explained that work is underway to reinstate these flights, predicting that they will return during the coming months of September or October, stressing that low-cost flights are "coming back" to Jordan.
He pointed out that the suspension of these flights came as a result of the repercussions of the American-Israeli war on one hand, and Iran on the other, even though Jordan is far from the circle of conflict and enjoys political stability.
He added that initial estimates indicated that flights would resume during the current month of July, but the continuation of regional conditions led to postponing the return date to next September or October.
The minister stressed that the resumption of low-cost flights is an important factor in increasing the number of tourists coming to the Kingdom and boosting tourism activity during the next phase.
According to Hijazin, the number of people arriving in Jordan via low-cost flights exceeded 300,000 tourists and travelers, reflecting the importance of this type of air transport in supporting the tourism sector.
It is noted that low-cost flights were halted during the period of military escalation between the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other, which was reflected in air traffic and tourism in the region, despite Jordan remaining far from the theater of military operations.
