King to meet Germany chancellor tomorrow
The visit will focus on ways to strengthen cooperation between Jordan and Germany, in addition to discussions about the most pressing developments in the region, according to a Royal Court statement.
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Jordan Times
9 hours ago
- Jordan Times
38 Jordanian aid trucks enter Gaza amid ongoing humanitarian crisis
AMMAN — A Jordanian aid convoy comprising 38 trucks entered the Gaza Strip on Monday, carrying essential food supplies amid a worsening humanitarian crisis, according to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO). Dispatched under Royal directives, the convoy crossed through the King Hussein Bridge in coordination with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the Jordan Armed Forces–Arab Army (JAF). The operation forms part of Jordan's ongoing regional and international efforts to provide sustained humanitarian support to the people of Gaza, according to a JHCO statement. As of Monday, a total of 294 out of 452 aid trucks dispatched by Jordan over the past two weeks have entered Gaza, with the remainder delayed due to Israeli-imposed restrictions at border crossings, JHCO Secretary-General Hussein Shibli said in remarks to Al Mamlaka TV. Shibli said that Israeli authorities often cite the end of official working hours to delay aid entry, saying that 'the occupation is highly skilled at creating obstacles'. He added that some humanitarian items, including medical supplies and equipment, have been rejected, and that prolonged inspection and crossing procedures have extended convoy travel times to as much as 38 hours. Despite these challenges, the JHCO continues to ramp up the frequency of its aid convoys to ensure a steady flow of relief to the besieged enclave. Shibli reaffirmed Jordan's unwavering commitment to supporting Gaza, describing the ongoing aid operations as a vital lifeline for its population. The latest convoy reflects the strong coordination between Jordanian national institutions and international partners, particularly the WFP, in responding to humanitarian crises. It also highlights the key logistical and operational role played by the JAF, which continues to conduct airdrops as a complementary method of aid delivery.
Jordan Times
9 hours ago
- Jordan Times
Petra attracts nearly 291,000 visitors in seven months, majority foreign tourists
AMMAN — The ancient city of Petra has welcomed approximately 291,000 visitors during the first seven months of 2025, with foreigners making up the majority, according to official data cited by the Al Mamlaka TV. Foreign tourists accounted for 193,061 visitors, representing 66 per cent of the total, with Jordanians and Arab tourists making up the remaining 34 per cent with 78,889 and 19,219 visitors respectively. In July alone, Petra recorded 29,000 visitors, according to official figures, with tourism in the ancient city declining by 61 per cent in 2025 compared to last year. Figures from the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) show that Petra has attracted nearly 9.8 million visitors since 2010. Visitor numbers peaked in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 1.14 million tourists and, in 2023, tourism rose to 1.17 million until the outbreak of the war on Gaza in October, after which the numbers plummeted. Last year, visitor numbers fell sharply to 457,215, a 61 per cent decrease compared to the same period in 2023, according to PDTRA figures. PDTRA Chairman Fares Braizat said on Sunday that the ancient city has witnessed a sharp decline in tourist numbers, leading to the closure of 32 hotels, amounting to 2,000 rooms, and the loss of 700 jobs. 'Petra is one of the most affected tourist sites by the decline in visitor numbers due to the war on Gaza and its repercussions on the region,' Braizat told members of the Lower House committees. He added that approximately 38,000 residents of Petra rely either directly or indirectly on the tourism industry, and have been hit hard by what he described as a 'crisis.' To mitigate the impact, tourism-related professions have been temporarily exempted from licensing requirements, and some tenants have been relieved of rent dues for 2024, Braizat noted. Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) Director General Abdel Razzak Arabiyat echoed the concerns, saying there has been 'almost a complete decline of tourism in Jordan' following the outbreak of war in Gaza. 'Petra, which heavily relies on tourists from Europe and the United States, has been particularly affected,' he said. 'The repercussions are felt daily, especially by those working in tourism services,' Arabiyat told Al Mamlaka TV. He cited plummeting numbers of Western visitors, which have negatively impacted hotels, tour guides, travel agencies, and transport operators in the Petra region. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on Saturday announced a new set of tours under the "Urdunnah Jannah" programme aimed at revitalizing Petra's tourism sector. The initiative will organize overnight stays in the city as part of a broader review of the programme in light of regional developments. The ministry said the new tour package, funded with JD1.5 million from the programme budget, in addition to contributions from participants, is part of ongoing efforts to support local communities and boost tourism recovery in Petra.
Jordan Times
9 hours ago
- Jordan Times
Jordan, Syria agree to launch cloud seeding project in Yarmouk Basin
AMMAN — The Jordanian-Syrian Joint Technical Committee held its second meeting on Monday in Damascus, co-chaired by Secretary-General of the Jordan Valley Authority Hisham Hesa and Syrian Deputy Minister of Energy Osama Abu Zaid. Syrian Minister of Energy Mohammad Bashir welcomed the committee members, expressing appreciation for the continued cooperation between the two countries in the field of water resource management. During the meeting, both sides agreed to launch a cloud seeding project in the Yarmouk Basin and to activate technical coordination mechanisms to support the sustainable and equitable use of the basin's water resources. They also emphasised the importance of further developing the Yarmouk Basin to enhance its long-term capacity and strategic value, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The committee had previously convened its first meeting in July at the Al-Wehda Dam on the Jordanian-Syrian border. The meeting focused on ensuring fair water distribution in the Yarmouk Basin and strengthening cooperation on shared water resources. At the time, Assistant Secretary-General for Media Affairs at the Ministry of Water Omar Salameh said the two sides had reached several key understandings, including agreements on fair water allocation, expanding cloud seeding initiatives, implementing joint infrastructure projects, and enhancing remote monitoring and control of water sources and dams. The committee meetings were part of broader Jordanian-Syrian efforts to advance collaboration in the fields of water and energy, following high-level discussions held between the two countries in July.
