In January, Jordan’s tourism revenues reached $680.5 million, up 22.8% from the previous year, driven by increased spending from expatriates and tourists. Even with a forecasted decline in overall annual revenues due to geopolitical factors, Jordan surpassed its visitor targets in 2024, reflecting resilience in the tourism sector.
In January, Jordan’s tourism sector revenues soared to $680.5 million, reflecting an impressive annual increase of 22.8%. According to data from the Central Bank of Jordan, this growth stemmed from a 22.7% rise in spending by Jordanian expatriates, a 20.2% increase from non-Jordanian Arabs, and an extraordinary 30.7% uptick from non-Arab visitors. These figures underscore the sector’s recovery and resilience.
The Jordan National Tourism Strategy 2021-2025 plays a pivotal role in this upward trend by seeking to attract international tourists through the promotion of the country’s rich archaeological, cultural, and natural offerings. Jordan’s tourism growth also mirrors regional patterns, where nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are actively enhancing their tourism sectors as part of broader economic diversification efforts.
A report highlighted that spending in outbound tourism reached $184.9 million in January, marking a 29.4% annual increase. However, despite substantial revenue in earlier months, a central bank report indicated that total tourism revenues for 2024 stood at $10.20 billion, revealing a slight decline of 2.3% year-on-year due to a 3.9% drop in tourist arrivals.
The tourism ministry attributed some of these challenges to the war in Gaza, which adversely affected visitor numbers and spending. Notably, there was a 7.7% increase in revenue from Jordanian expatriates and a 12% rise from non-Jordanian Arab tourists; in contrast, Europe and the Americas saw sharp declines of 54%.
Despite these setbacks, Jordan welcomed over 6.10 million international visitors in 2024, surpassing the projected target of 5.36 million as per the nation’s Economic Modernization Vision, indicating a resilient and promising tourism landscape.
In conclusion, Jordan’s tourism sector exhibits a robust growth trajectory with a notable 22.8% revenue increase in January. The sector is strategically appealing to international visitors while adapting to regional challenges. However, the overarching impact of geopolitical issues and varying visitor demographics is instrumental in shaping its future landscape. Notwithstanding the challenges faced in 2024, projections reveal that Jordan maintains a favorable position within the regional tourism market.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
