Petra News Agency
Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Jordan’s Tourism Revenue Stood at JD1.164 Billion in 2006

Jordan’s tourism revenue stood at JD1.164 billion in 2006, an increase of JD142 million over 2005, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Osama Dabbas said.

In an interview with Jordan News Agency, Petra, the minister said the tourism sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) exceeded 10 percent.

He said the ministry was in the process of restructuring the tourism sector, establishing a chamber of tourism that includes all tourism societies, amending the Jordan Tourism Board’s system and activating the role of the tourism and private sectors.

“The ministry also intends to replace the current tourism law by a modern law to keep pace with new developments in the tourism industry,” he added.

The ministry, Dabbas said, was determined to activate the role of the JTB to reach new markets, mainly in Russia, China, India, Kazakhstan and Turkey and take part in various tourism events and exhibitions.

He said he would lead a delegation to Russia soon to promote the baptism site in that country after the allocation of 10 dunums in the area for the establishment of a center for visitors of the Russian church.

“In line with His Majesty King Abdullah’s directives, the government adopted a national strategy to develop and support the tourism sector until 2010," he added.

Dabbas highlighted projects being implemented by the ministry in Irbid, Um Qais, Jerash, Ajloun, Salt, Karak Madaba and Petra.