‘Low demand for outbound tourism during Eid’

AMMAN — Jordanians are less eager to spend Eid Al Fitr holiday abroad, despite the relatively long vacation that extends from Friday until Wednesday, according to an informed source. 

While this time of the year usually witnesses a ‘‘huge’’ demand for travel packages, reservations fell by 40 to 50 per cent this year, said Mohammad Samih, president of the Jordan Society of Tourism and Travel Agents. 

‘‘Travel agencies are complaining about the low demand for outbound tourism for the Eid holiday compared to previous years. We know that Jordanians decide about their travel plans at the last minute, but it is too late now to expect a better turnover,’’ he told The Jordan Times on Thursday.

While attributing the reason for shunning overseas trips to the difficult economic situation, Samih noted that Egypt and Istanbul remained the favoured destinations for those who chose to travel.  

On the other hand, inbound tourism will witness a ‘‘good movement’’ during the holiday, with ‘‘high’’ demand for hotels in coastal resorts in Aqaba and the Dead Sea.

Last year during Eid, occupancy rates reached over 85 per cent at Aqaba’s three-star-and-above hotels, with most visitors being Jordanians.

At the Dead Sea, hotel occupancy rates reached nearly 100 per cent during Eid.