‘Kingdom’s security, hospitality draw Swedish tourists’

AMMAN — Swedish tourists prefer coming to Jordan because of its safe and diversified tourist destinations, Swedish Ambassador to the Kingdom Erik Ullenhag said on Monday. 

During a meeting organised by the Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA) to discuss ways to attract more Swedish tourists, Ullenhag said that the feedback from Swedish tourists who have visited Jordan was positive.

The Jordanian hospitality was another important factor for the Swedes, the envoy said adding that he had experienced it personally during his visits across Jordan, a JITOA statement quoted the ambassador as saying. 

According to JITOA Chairman Awni Qawar, the number of Swedish tourists visiting Jordan rose by 21 per cent, or 14,000 people at the end of 2018. 

During the meeting, Qawar said that tourists from the Scandinavian country tend to spend their annual vacations in warm weather areas near the sea, and enjoy exploring natural areas and archaeological sites, which make Jordan a suitable destination, read the statement.   

Former secretary general of the World Tourism Organisation Taleb Rifai also stressed that promoting tourism requires joint efforts from the public and private sectors, highlighting the need to attract more Swedish tourists and benefit from Stockholm’s experience in tourism.

Sharhabeel Madi, commissioner for economic affairs at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, said that Swedish tourists are “fully aware” of southern Jordan — and Aqaba in particular — due to the region’s year-round warm weather and water attractions, according to the statement. 

The meeting was part of a series of gatherings to discuss the state of tourism in the Kingdom, the statement said.