Jordan Times
Friday, March 2, 2007
Preliminary figures positive
indicator of ongoing growth — Dabbas
AMMAN — The tourism industry continued to show promising growth this year, with
overall visitor arrivals rising 13.1 per cent in January compared to the same month
of last year.
Preliminary figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities showed that
some 529,656 tourists visited the Kingdom during the first month of this year compared
to 468,220 tourists in January 2005.
Overall arrivals brought revenue up by 23.1 per cent to JD106.1 million this January
compared to JD86.2 million in the same month last year.
“The increase in visitor arrivals and the subsequent higher tourism revenues reflect a
healthy start to the year,” said Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Osama Dabbas.
“Jordan’s ability to maintain its image as a safe and secure destination for tourists
has helped see such growth and I believe these figures are a positive indicator of ongoing
growth in the coming months,” he added.
According to the figures, the number of overnight visitors in the Kingdom during January
was 17.3 per cent higher this in January, standing at 273,648, compared to 233,306 during
January 2005.
Based on the figures, tourists from Arab and Gulf countries accounted for more than half
of the overall overnight visitors to the country in January (52 per cent), while Europeans
constituted 22 per cent and those from the Americas 5.2 per cent.
Tourists from Arab and Gulf countries, who accounted for the largest influx of overall arrivals
at 142,427 visitors, rose by 14.5 per cent compared to January last year.
They were followed by 60,238 visitors from Europe, 44,735 Jordanians residing abroad, and 14,218
visitors from the Americas.
European and American arrivals in January were 42.2 per cent and 31.7 per cent higher than in the
same month of 2005, according to the figures.
The Kingdom, which had a bumpy year as a result of ongoing regional upheavals, has continued its
efforts to maintain a healthy flow of tourist traffic to the country with strong promotional initiatives
abroad.
Dabbas said marketing efforts have focused on promoting Jordan’s wide range of historical and
archaeological attractions and its fast growing range of tourism products, which include adventure
and ecotourism.
He said these campaigns have been coupled with the country’s participation in key regional and
international tour and travel markets and fairs in London, Italy, Spain, Germany and Russia.
As part of its ongoing efforts to attract more visitors, the Kingdom is also expanding promotional
efforts in new markets, including China and Japan.
Some 7,632 travellers from East Asia and the Pacific visited the country in January, constituting a
42 per cent increase compared to January 2005.