logo
Tourism revenues exceed Economic Modernisation Vision's targets

Tourism revenues exceed Economic Modernisation Vision's targets

Jordan Times19-02-2025

According to the 2024 Annual Tourism Report, the number of international visitors to the Kingdom in 2024 has exceeded the target set in the Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV), reaching around 6.108 million, 13.8 per cent over the projected figure of 5.367 million visitors (JT file photo)
AMMAN — The number of international visitors to the Kingdom in 2024 has exceeded the target set in the Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV) for the same year by 13.8 per cent, reaching approximately 6.108 million visitors.
This surpasses the projected figure of 5.367 million visitors, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
According to the 2024 Annual Tourism Report, cited by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, tourism revenues for 2024 also exceeded the targets set in the EMV by 2.9 per cent, amounting to JD5.132 billion, compared to the projected JD4.989 billion.
The report highlighted that the Ministry of Tourism will prioritize several key areas in 2025 as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the sector and improve resilience in the face of challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the aggression on Gaza.
As outlined in the report, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities will work towards fulfilling its commitments under the EMV by monitoring the government's tourism priorities, each consisting of specific activities with set timelines.
The Ministry will also track the progress of these activities on a monthly basis and submit reports to the Government Performance and Achievement Follow-up Unit at the Prime Ministry.
The Ministry will also concentrate its efforts on ensuring that key performance indicators outlined in the EMV are met.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jordan's Leather and Garment Industry Exports Reach 90 Countries Worldwide - Jordan News
Jordan's Leather and Garment Industry Exports Reach 90 Countries Worldwide - Jordan News

Jordan News

time14 hours ago

  • Jordan News

Jordan's Leather and Garment Industry Exports Reach 90 Countries Worldwide - Jordan News

Jordan's Leather and Garment Industry Exports Reach 90 Countries Worldwide Jordan's leather and garment industry — the oldest in the region — has significantly expanded its export footprint, now reaching around 90 countries globally. This growth reflects the sector's competitiveness and high quality standards. اضافة اعلان The industry, which dates back to the establishment of the first tannery in 1921, has received considerable support from the Jordanian state under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II. This support, along with Jordan's trade agreements with major global trade blocs, has made the sector attractive to foreign investors. Over the past decade, the sector has seen a remarkable transformation, with investments increasing by 150%, from $420 million to over $1 billion today. Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision has set ambitious goals for the sector, including: Increasing employment levels Raising value-added by 10% annually to reach approximately $1.8 billion Boosting production from $5.5 billion to $8.8 billion by 2033 Attracting $3.1 billion in new investments in the coming years The number of operational enterprises has surged from 600 at the end of the 20th century to 1,000 today, with production branches spread across several governorates. In 2024, the sector achieved a record-high export growth of over 24% compared to 2023 — the highest since 2010 — reaching $2.4 billion, which accounts for 21% of total industrial exports. Eng. Ihab Qadri, representative of the leather and garment industries sector at the Jordan Chamber of Industry, told the Jordan News Agency (Petra): 'This growth clearly reflects the sector's development and its regained momentum in foreign markets, despite the regional and global economic challenges over the past two years.' He attributed this growth mainly to the gradual recovery in demand from the U.S. market, which accounts for 80% of the sector's exports, along with export expansion into European markets, particularly the Netherlands and Belgium. Qadri emphasized that the sector is entering a promising phase, and stakeholders must build on recent achievements by boosting product competitiveness and diversifying exports into non-traditional markets. He also noted that the sector still has untapped export potential worth over $752 million, according to World Trade Center estimates — a key factor in achieving the ambitious goals set in the Economic Modernization Vision. Qadri highlighted that the sector holds the largest share of employment opportunities, with over 96,000 workers, an 8% growth, of whom 31% are Jordanians. The Vision also sees the sector playing a vital role in job creation, with a target to generate 149,000 job opportunities out of the one million total aimed for in the coming years. Qadri also pointed to progress on the establishment of a fully integrated industrial cluster for the leather and garment sector, supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The project has reached an advanced stage, with feasibility studies completed and work underway to finalize incentive packages and determine the geographic location. Promotional campaigns are also being prepared to attract investment and Jordanian labor. The establishment of this integrated industrial cluster is one of the key initiatives supporting the Economic Modernization Vision, especially in light of challenges such as the scarcity of raw materials, which represent nearly 60% of total production costs. Qadri explained that the cluster aims to fill supply chain gaps and reduce delivery times, enhancing the sector's ability to expand globally and increase exports. He emphasized that sustained progress in the sector depends on its ability to adopt technological advancements, implement sustainable practices, and enhance integration with supporting sectors like transport and logistics — all of which would help position Jordan as a competitive industrial and export hub in the region. Qadri concluded by stressing the importance of effectively implementing the initiatives outlined in the Economic Modernization Vision, particularly through the upcoming sector-specific strategy under the national industrial policy. This strategy aims to enhance the sector's competitiveness, productivity, value-added, and product/export diversification through public-private collaboration. (Petra)

Jordanian Tourism Under King Abdullah II: Comprehensive Renaissance and Sustainable Growth - Jordan News
Jordanian Tourism Under King Abdullah II: Comprehensive Renaissance and Sustainable Growth - Jordan News

Jordan News

time3 days ago

  • Jordan News

Jordanian Tourism Under King Abdullah II: Comprehensive Renaissance and Sustainable Growth - Jordan News

Jordanian Tourism Under King Abdullah II: Comprehensive Renaissance and Sustainable Growth Under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, Jordan's tourism sector has witnessed a qualitative transformation and comprehensive development, becoming one of the main pillars of the national economy. The Kingdom adopted an ambitious development strategy focused on diversifying tourism products, improving infrastructure, and enhancing investment in its unique archaeological and natural sites. اضافة اعلان Thanks to the direct attention of His Majesty, tourism has become an effective tool for promoting Jordan's positive global image and attracting tourists from all over the world. This has contributed to job creation, revitalized local communities, and preserved Jordan's cultural and historical heritage. The progress achieved in this sector in recent years clearly reflects the King's enlightened vision that views tourism not just as an economy, but as a bridge for cultural exchange and sustainable development. Since assuming his constitutional powers, His Majesty has worked to transform Jordan into a model for comprehensive and sustainable development in the region, with sustainable tourism being a cornerstone of this vision. Recognizing its economic importance and role in reducing unemployment and raising social welfare, the King has consistently directed successive governments to provide all necessary facilities to advance the tourism industry and make it innovative, attractive, and reflective of Jordan's rich historical, environmental, and cultural assets. In line with these royal directives, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has aligned its recent plans with the Economic Modernization Vision (2023–2033), prioritizing tourism under the "Jordan as a Global Destination" track. The Ministry is working to achieve this vision by creating 99,000 jobs in the tourism sector, stimulating investment, and increasing tourism revenues. Regarding the targets of the Economic Modernization Vision, tourism revenues have already achieved 100.6% of the set targets, while employment in the sector has reached 105.4% of the expected figures. The Ministry developed a national sectoral strategic plan (2021–2025) in collaboration with local stakeholders and updated it to align with the modernization vision. The tourism sector has seen remarkable growth under King Abdullah II's reign, surpassing annual targets. During the first five months of 2025 alone, the number of international visitors reached approximately 2.7 million, while tourism revenue in the first third of the year hit 1.721 billion Jordanian dinars, contributing 13.5% to the GDP. Tourism sector employment exceeds 57,000 full-time workers, including a notable increase in female employees, who now number 7,728. The total number of tourism establishments has surpassed 3,706, including 924 hotels, 1,316 restaurants, 883 tour operators, and 583 other facilities. Hotel rooms have also increased, especially in Aqaba, Petra, and Wadi Rum, with a nationwide total of over 36,000 rooms. Jordan's global recognition has grown, with five Jordanian sites added to the UNESCO World Heritage list under King Abdullah II: Umm ar-Rasas (2004), Wadi Rum (2011), the Baptism Site (2015), Salt (2021), and Umm al-Jimal (2024). An additional 13 sites are on the tentative list. Jordan has also registered five elements on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, including Bedouin culture in Petra and Wadi Rum (2008), the Samer dance (2018), Mansaf (2022), Arabic calligraphy (2021), and the Date Palm file (2022). In 2023, Umm Qais and Al-Sela village were selected among the world's best tourism villages by UNWTO, and Petra was named one of the New Seven Wonders in 2007. The Baptism Site was recognized as a global Christian pilgrimage site, and five Christian pilgrimage locations were designated by the Vatican. Jordan was declared a regional hub for medical and wellness tourism in 2023. Madaba was named the Arab Tourism Capital in 2022, and Irbid the Arab Capital of Culture. Jordan also chaired the UNWTO's Regional Commission for the Middle East for two years. On the international front, Jordan signed 26 cooperation agreements, 13 MoUs, and 28 executive programs with various countries, and hosted the 49th session of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Middle East on June 7, 2023. Jordan also led the "Tourism Eyes 2022" project with UNWTO to empower women, participated in the UNWTO Youth Summit in Italy, chaired the Arab Tourism Ministerial Council, and led the Middle East Regional Commission (2023–2025). Jordan also chaired the Arab League's Technical Committee for Tourism and joined UNWTO's Affiliate Membership Committee. In a step to support investment, the Kingdom published its tourism investment guide in cooperation with UNWTO in 2024. In digital transformation, the Ministry launched a tourism indicators dashboard, electronic tickets for heritage sites, the Jordan Pass platform, Urdunna Jannah platform, electronic licensing, and an integrated tourism statistics system. To develop the tourism product, 11 visitor centers were established across the Kingdom, including a center for exploration and adventure tourism in Shobak. Sites were also adapted for accessible tourism and many heritage sites were rehabilitated, such as Umm ar-Rasas, Umm al-Jimal, and Machaerus. The "Urdunna Jannah" domestic tourism program attracted 311,000 participants in 2024. From its relaunch on April 24, 2025, until May 20, about 35,000 more joined. Handicraft training centers were launched in several provinces, and Christian religious tourism was promoted locally and internationally. The Pope visited Jordan three times, recognizing five pilgrimage sites. Legislatively, the Tourism Law (1988) was amended three times, producing 15 bylaws and multiple directives. Laws on heritage and antiquities were also updated, generating several supporting legal instruments. The Department of Antiquities continued documenting and preserving Jordan's archaeological heritage, registering numerous sites with UNESCO and Islamic heritage lists, including Umm ar-Rasas, Wadi Rum, the Baptism Site, Salt, Ajloun Castle, Qasr Amra, and the Kharak School. Jordan contributed to drafting international heritage charters such as the 2017 Thessaloniki Charter for Byzantine Heritage. Databases like MEGA Jordan were created, mapping 15,000 archaeological sites. The department also launched a system to document museum artifacts and established a digital library. Museum infrastructure saw major improvements with new museums in Ajloun, the Dead Sea, Hallabat, Feynan, Umm al-Jimal, Tafilah, and the Jordan Museum. Conservation work covered 21 archaeological sites and restoration of 16 rare books. In 2023, the Regional Conservation Center (Nuweijis) was founded. Key archaeological discoveries included the world's oldest blood samples in Azraq, the oldest known loaf of bread (2018), ancient statues, and Roman baths. The Jordan Tourism Board implemented initiatives to enhance Jordan's global image, notably the "Kingdom of Time" tourism brand, promoting adventure and health tourism, and helping Jordan host global conferences. The Jordan Trail was also recognized as a premier adventure destination. The Board partnered with five low-cost carriers to expand air connectivity to 25 destinations across 17 countries and secured charter flights from nine countries. Direct flights now connect Jordan to 37 countries, 69 cities, and 78 airports. Digitally, the Board launched specialized websites to promote Jordan's diverse tourism offerings.

Oil Prices Steady Ahead of U.S.-China Trade Talks - Jordan News
Oil Prices Steady Ahead of U.S.-China Trade Talks - Jordan News

Jordan News

time3 days ago

  • Jordan News

Oil Prices Steady Ahead of U.S.-China Trade Talks - Jordan News

Oil prices held steady during trading on Monday, amid anticipation of upcoming trade talks between China and the United States. Brent crude futures remained unchanged at $66.40 per barrel, while U.S. crude futures also stabilized at $64.53 per barrel, according to CNBC. اضافة اعلان Three senior aides to Donald Trump are scheduled to meet with their Chinese counterparts in London on Monday in the first meeting of the U.S.-China Economic and Trade Consultation Mechanism. — (Petra)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store