Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Imad Hijazin said Saturday that tourism is a key contributor to Jordan’s GDP.
Speaking at a meeting held by the Jordanian Businessmen Association to discuss the “Recovery and Sustainability of Jordanian Tourism,” Hijazin noted that a tourism product can be developed in every part of the country.
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He highlighted that the tourism sector is uniquely interconnected with several other sectors, such as municipalities and transportation, but pointed out that tourism investment in Jordan has not taken into account the specific needs of different governorates. Instead, investments remain concentrated in Aqaba, the Dead Sea, and Amman.
Hijazin reviewed the tourism markets targeted so far, stressing the importance of opening new ones and focusing on Christian religious tourism. He added that Jordan can tap into Christian religious tourism in nearby markets such as the Gulf.
He said that the tourism product has not been developed as needed since the 1960s, despite Jordan’s strong tourism potential. He also noted the presence of numerous Islamic religious tourism sites, such as Mu'tah, which can be further developed.
Hijazin called for improved air connectivity, pointing out that there is a government budget allocation for this purpose, which would ultimately enhance tourism revenue.
He explained that seasonality is among the sector’s biggest challenges, as international markets have one season while regional markets have another. He emphasized the importance of hosting festivals and offering attractive tourism packages to stimulate demand.
Hijazin also referred to challenges beyond control, such as wars, regional instability, and pandemics like COVID-19, noting that “tourism may fall ill, but it never dies.”
He highlighted the challenge of financing, saying that those working in the tourism sector often struggle to obtain loans and funding—an issue that needs to be addressed.
Hijazin stressed that the sector also faces challenges in human resources, with low interest in working in tourism due to the lack of job security, including benefits such as health insurance. He added that skilled workers often leave for jobs abroad. He emphasized the need to develop education and training programs to keep pace with the sector’s needs.
For his part, Ayman Al-Alawneh, Chairman of the Jordanian Businessmen Association, said the tourism sector is one of the main pillars supporting national economic growth and has been affected over the past two years by geopolitical instability in the region.
As regional conditions began to improve, Jordanian tourism gradually recovered, with tourism revenues rising during the first nine months of the current year to nearly USD 6 billion—an increase of 6.8% compared to the same period last year. This improvement was driven by supportive government decisions, developmental initiatives that stimulated the sector, and growing demand for Jordan from various tourism markets, positively reflecting on tourism performance indicators, which continue their steady upward trajectory.
Al-Alawneh added: “We look forward to the continued growth of the tourism sector through strengthened public–private partnership, which is a strategic pillar for developing innovative tourism projects that support the goals of the Economic Modernization Vision. This includes leveraging investments and technical and administrative expertise to develop an integrated tourism infrastructure encompassing resorts, hotels, and recreational and cultural facilities.”
He continued: “This also includes projects focused on medical and religious tourism, which have declined in recent years. These efforts aim to restore Jordan’s position as a leading medical tourism destination in the region, benefiting from its advanced medical centers and high-quality healthcare services, as well as its rich religious and historical assets that make the Kingdom a distinguished destination for international visitors.”
Al-Alawneh noted that tourism investment incentive programs are a key tool in supporting the sector’s growth and competitiveness, offering attractive benefits to investors, creating new job opportunities, and developing local talent and skills—contributing to economic sustainability and increasing tourism’s share of GDP.
He stressed that strengthening Jordan’s tourism promotion efforts and diversifying target markets are essential steps in cementing the Kingdom’s status as a comprehensive tourism destination capable of attracting more visitors and investments.
He added that restoring tourism momentum and reaching the activity levels seen before 2023 remains one of the main goals, reflecting the sector’s great potential and strong ability to continue its vital role in supporting the national economy and advancing sustainable development.
