Mahmoud Al-Khasawneh, President of the Association of South Travel and Tourism Agents (JSTA), confirmed that regional de-escalation efforts have directly contributed to restoring flight paths to their normal patterns. This development has rapidly strengthened aerial connectivity between the Kingdom and key tourism-source markets.
اضافة اعلان
Al-Khasawneh noted that this improvement is a vital step toward restoring tourist inflows, projecting a gradual return of foreign inbound tourism during the fourth quarter (Q4) of this year, provided regional conditions continue to stabilize. He emphasized that the resumption of passenger movement is the most critical element in the tourism ecosystem, highlighting the role of charter flights as a primary driver of activity.
Recently, Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) welcomed a charter flight from France carrying 105 tourists. Organized by "Atelier Voyages" with support from the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB), the flight signals a restoration of confidence in Jordan as a destination. Al-Khasawneh added that the recovery of aviation and transit movement to approximately 45% of its previous levels is a positive indicator for the sector's rebound.
Impact on the Hotel Sector
Hani Al-Dabbas, Vice President of the Jordan Hotel Association (JHA), described the improvement in aviation as a "turning point" that boosts market confidence. He explained that the recovery extends beyond volume to impact the quality of demand, which is clearly reflected in hotel occupancy rates and Average Daily Rate (ADR).
Al-Dabbas categorized the impact by tourism type:
Amman: Highly dependent on high-spending MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism.
Petra: Characterized by cultural tourism with shorter stays.
Dead Sea: Excels in medical and wellness tourism, featuring longer stays and higher expenditure.
He also stressed the importance of the return of Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs), which play a pivotal role in expanding the tourist base and supporting mid-range and budget hotels.
Positive Indicators Amidst Challenges
Amjad Muslamani, Chairman of the Parliamentary Tourism Committee, described these indicators as "promising." However, he noted that the sector still faces challenges due to previous losses and the current weakness in foreign tourist numbers, which has impacted some establishments' ability to meet operational obligations, such as payroll.
Statistical Trends in Aviation
Captain Haitham Misto, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC), clarified that air traffic began an upward trajectory in April.
Traffic Statistics at QAIA:
February: 241 daily flights (average).
March: Dropped to 131 daily flights.
April: Rebounded to approximately 145 daily flights, with growth expected to continue.
Flexible Marketing Strategies
Ramzi Maayaitah, Director General of the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB), stated that attracting charter flights from European markets—specifically France—reflects the success of the JTB’s flexible marketing and support programs. He confirmed that the board is working with partners to diversify target markets and enhance the competitiveness of the Jordanian tourism product through support for both charter and low-cost flights.
