September 12, 2018 TnH Global

Jordan uses its legacy to drive tourism; India continues to be an important source market…

Dr. Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, Managing Director, Jordan Tourism Board, talks about the importance of tourism in Jordan

Jordan is working on utilizing its existing assets, zoning in on its heritage, culture, gastronomy, adventure and infrastructure with tourism campaigns designed to attract tourists to Jordan. The tourism sector in Jordan acts as the driver of sustainable economic development and is considered the second fastest growing sector in the Kingdom, and is the largest export sector and a major employer. Jordan witnessed several development projects in some of key tourist attractions, mainly in Aqaba and the Dead Sea, which contribute towards marketing Jordan as a tourist destination and raise its competitiveness within the region. In the recent Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, produced by the World Economic Forum, Jordan ranked 53rd out of 130 countries on the Travel and Tourism Competitive Index. Tourism in Jordan attracts tourists from around the world and is well known for its diverse tourist sites and activities. We are a rich destination with a wide range of tourist attractions, developed tourism infrastructure with a plethora of luxury hotels, resorts and spas, advanced transport infrastructure, and a destination that plays host to many cultural and entertainment events that attract large audiences.

Adel Amin, Deputy Director & Director Marketing, Jordan Tourism Board comments on how India continues to be an important source market for Jordan

India is an important market for Jordan as we are seeing a lot of traction from our efforts in the market in the past few years. The 2016 Indian arrival figures to Jordan have shown an unprecedented growth of 18.40%, and the same day visitor arrivals from India has declined by 4.50%, which indicates that visitors are now spending more time in the country. We welcome Indian visitors, and are also offering free visa on arrival in Jordan which makes it easier for Indians to travel to the country. India is firmly established as an important market for us and we hope to see it in the top five markets in the future in terms of tourist inflow. The country continues to focus on family tourism and honeymoon travel; and we are expecting many Bollywood films to also be shot there in the near future. The major factors attracting Indian tourists are Jordan’s food, culture, and visa on arrival facility. Major attractions in the country are its capital Amman, the desert landscape of Wadi Rum, Dead Sea, Petra – one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, and the historical ruins of the city of Jerash, Karak, Mount Nebo and Madaba.