October sees increase in European tourist arrivals

AMMAN — European tourist arrivals to Jordan have witnessed a 15-per cent growth so far this month, the Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA) said on Saturday, citing statistics issued by the Ministry of Tourism.

Jordan is among the top travel destinations on Europeans’ lists due to the Kingdom’s historical landmarks, its weather and its security and stability, despite regional turmoil, JITOA Chairman Awni Kawar told The Jordan Times on Saturday. 

“European tourists mainly come from Italy, France, Germany, Spain and the Nordic countries, especially Denmark and Sweden,” Kawar said.

Tourist seasons in Jordan are from March through May, when the weather is pleasant, and September to November when summer heat subdues, he said. Kawar noted that summer is the peak season for tourism from Gulf countries, which is increasing on a yearly basis.

Tourist numbers increased during September, witnessing an 8-per cent growth compared with the same period in 2018, the JITOA chairman said adding that preparations are under way for the 2020 tourist season, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Jordan Tourism Board, which is affiliated with the ministry, the Jordan Hotels Association and others.

According to Kawar, “road shows”, workshops that were made with the objective of promoting Jordan in the tourism sector, had a clear impact in attracting people to Jordan.

“It’s worth noting that the JITOA and the Jordan Tourism Board have organised workshops in different countries, especially in Denmark and other Scandinavian countries,” he said.

“We organise workshops in Jordan and other countries, collaborating with different embassies, in order to get to know the countries’ traditions, the things that matter the most when people travel, the food they like to eat and the simplest things that will make their visit to Jordan exquisite,” Omar Hazineh, executive director at the JITOA told The Jordan Times on Saturday.

The tourism sector in Jordan faces some challenges, including the number of hotel rooms in Petra, as it is a “major tourism destination crowded with tourists throughout the year”,  and the lack of sufficient tourist transportation, Kawar said, noting that officials in the sector are working to find swift solutions for these challenges.