Jordan’s tourism revenues soared to $680.5 million in January, a 22.8% increase driven primarily by spending from expatriates and non-Arab visitors. However, tourism revenues for 2024 declined slightly to $10.20 billion due to lower tourist numbers, largely influenced by the ongoing situation in Gaza. Despite these challenges, Jordan exceeded its visitor target, emphasizing a resilient tourism sector.
Jordan’s tourism sector generated $680.5 million in revenue in January, marking an increase of 22.8% year-over-year. According to the Central Bank of Jordan, this rise is attributed to various sources, including a 22.7% increase in spending by Jordanian expatriates, a 20.2% growth from non-Jordanian Arabs, and a notable 30.7% surge from non-Arab tourists.
The country’s tourism growth aligns with the Jordan National Tourism Strategy 2021-2025, which aims to attract international visitors by highlighting its rich archaeological sites and natural landscapes. This growth trend in Jordan mirrors a regional focus on enhancing tourism as part of economic diversification, similar to initiatives in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
In addition to inbound tourism growth, outbound tourism spending also increased, reaching $184.9 million in January, which represents a 29.4% rise. However, a report from Jordan’s central bank indicates that overall tourism revenues in 2024 fell to $10.20 billion, a slight decline of 2.3% compared to previous years, largely due to a 3.9% reduction in visitor numbers.
The tourism ministry’s report highlights that geopolitical tensions, particularly the conflict in Gaza, have adversely affected tourism performance in Jordan, leading to decreased visitor numbers and spending. Nonetheless, revenue from Jordanian expatriates grew by 7.7%, and spending from non-Jordanian Arabs increased by 12% in 2024.
Conversely, tourism revenues from European visitors plummeted by 54%, while income from the Americas also decreased by 54%, followed by a 15.3% drop from other nationalities. On a positive note, the total number of international visitors to Jordan reached 6.10 million in 2024, surpassing the target of 5.36 million outlined in the Economic Modernization Vision.
In conclusion, while Jordan’s tourism sector experienced significant revenue increases in January, overall performance in 2024 was impacted by external factors, including geopolitical tensions. Despite declines in specific visitor demographics, the sector continues to show resilience through growth in spending by expatriates and non-Jordanian Arabs. The ambitious tourism strategy aims to further enhance visitor influx and spending, crucial for the country’s economic stability.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
