Jordan Times
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Upward trend continues
Tourist arrivals continued to grow during the first five months of this year with overall numbers rising 18.3 per cent
compared to the same period in 2006, official figures revealed Tuesday.
Preliminary statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism showed that some 2.38 million tourists visited the country
between January and May compared to 2.01 million in the same period of last year.
These included both same-day and overnight visitors.
The number of tourists on package tours also increased by 3.3 per cent in the first five months of this year, to 108,000
visitors from 105,000 in 2006.
The ancient city of Petra witnessed a 15 per cent increase in visitors in the same comparative period — from 194,346
tourists to 223,084.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Osama Dabbas said Jordan had succeeded in attracting higher numbers of visitors so far
this year, with positive returns in revenues.
According to Dabbas, revenues recorded by the Central Bank of Jordan rose 26.2 per cent to JD460 million during the first
five months of this year from JD365 million in the same period of last year.
“Again, the tourism sector was able to maintain positive growth in arrivals despite the ongoing challenges facing this
region,” said Dabbas.
“The Ministry of Tourism and the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) have continued to push this trend forward through marketing
efforts across Europe and the Gulf,” he added.
Since the beginning of this year, the Kingdom has participated in several exhibitions in Europe to promote the country’s
tourist attractions.
These included the three-day Salon de la Randonnée in France, where the campaign was directed towards adventure enthusiasts.
A delegation of tourism industry leaders also initiated an intense promotional drive of the country’s tourism facets and its
potential as a travel destination at the four-day ITB Berlin, which is considered one of the world’s foremost trade shows for
the travel industry.
The minister also noted a promising forecast for the summer tourist season, which he said was already attracting Gulf tourists
and Jordanians residing abroad, who spend their summer vacation here.
The JTB last month launched a promotional campaign throughout the Gulf region.
The campaign, which will run until July 1, is designed to introduce potential visitors to Jordan’s increasing tourism attractions.
Utilising TV and satellite channels, magazines and other media outlets, the campaign is targeting potential visitors from Bahrain,
Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.