The resurgence of tourism activity during the first half of 2023 has benefited business owners in the realm of tourism, enhanced numerous economic sectors, and increased demand for lodging, dining, and travel services, experts and stakeholders in the tourism industry said.
Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), they indicated that the boost in tourism movement and the surge in the number of visitors to the Kingdom have stimulated the national economy, provided more job opportunities, and increased investments in the sector.
Hussein Hilalat, vice president and spokesperson for Jordan Hotels Association (JHA), confirmed that such a recovery in the tourism industry has reflected in higher hotel occupancy rates and generated fresh jobs, noting that the hotel sector currently employs around 22,000 individuals, including 18,500 Jordanians.
Furthermore, he noted that the hotel industry in Jordan has expanded to include 540 hotels across various governorates, except for the Aqaba Economic Zone, with approximately 28,000 hotel rooms, calling for luring in hotel investments in the northern region, adopting a tourism investment map for each governorate separately in addition to improving the tourism product in Jordanian villages, given their favorable climate.
Essam Fakhruddin, President of the Jordan Restaurant Association, commented the increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting the country has had a positive impact on tourism restaurants, particularly those located in the governorates. While tourism restaurants in the capital, Amman, are thriving through conference tourism, summer visits from expatriates, Arab tourists, and the local market.
Fakhruddin also highlighted the need for skilled and trained workers in tourist restaurants, as there is currently a significant labor shortage for existing or new projects in this field, noting that the number of workers in tourist restaurants is approximately 25,000, and there are about 1,100 licensed tourist restaurants in Jordan.
Meanwhile, Suhail Halasa, head of the Jordan Society of Tourism and Travel Agents (JSTA), indicated that the reviving of the tourism movement contributes to boosting the work of travel agencies and other economic activities. He added that the increase in demand for tourism services has positive implications for the growth of the sector, the expansion of job opportunities, and the promotion of local trade and the economy in general.
Halasa also emphasized that travel agencies play a significant role in fostering the tourism industry and boosting the number of tourists by providing services such as organizing trips, accommodation, and transportation, which enhance the tourist experience and attract more foreign visitors.
For his part, Abdel Sattar Abu Hassan, head of the Tourism Transport Association, said that transportation companies have commenced to strengthen their fleets of tourist buses to meet the increase in the number of travelers coming to the Kingdom.
Head of the Tourist Guides Association, Hani Al-Masada, stated that the association, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, has held many tourism guidance courses to address the needs of the market, noting that the number of tourist guides reached 1,450.
Source: Jordan News Agency