by Daoud Kuttab

The Jordanian tourism sector is passing through one of its most difficult periods, as the escalating repercussions of regional wars and tensions continue to batter inbound travel. Despite Jordan’s ongoing efforts to maintain security and stability, the conflict environment has already translated into fewer flight departures, weaker hotel bookings, and declining tourism performance. Rather than treating this as a passing fluctuation, the Jordanian government should consider allocating a relatively modest support package—no more than ten million dinars—to help the sector weather the shock and remain operational. This is especially urgent given that Jordan’s economy continues to show resilience even amid a turbulent regional outlook.

Recent Central Bank data show that tourism revenue fell by 5.3% in the first half of 2026, reaching approximately $3.5 billion, even as June alone recorded a 7% increase. The overall figures underscore that regional conditions remain the dominant factor shaping the sector’s trajectory.

Similarly, data from both the Ministry of Tourism and the Central Bank point to a continuing decline in both the number of international visitors and tourism receipts. Jordan welcomed about 6.35 million visitors in 2023, generating nearly 7.4 billion Jordanian dinars in tourism revenue—the highest level in the sector’s history. Yet this record has not shielded the industry from the downward pressure of events since late 2023.

Nabeh Riyal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association, told Radio Al-Balad that security and geopolitical developments in the region have an immediate impact on tourism in Jordan. He noted that any regional escalation is reflected quickly in travel decisions—whether through suspended flights or advisories issued by some countries—leading to an unprecedented contraction in activity.

“The sector is facing extremely difficult circumstances,” Riyal said. The current crisis has worsened a decline that was already underway: since the war began last March, most foreign tour groups have canceled bookings. Even indicators for the coming tourist season—September, October, and November—remain weak, largely because the advance bookings that normally define this period have failed to materialize.

Jordan’s performance in 2023—6.35 million visitors and 7.4 billion dinars in tourism revenue—was exceptional. But successive regional developments have since brought a gradual decline, particularly from European and American markets.

Hussain Hilalat, Vice President of the Jordan Hotels Association, agrees that the hotel sector has not yet recovered since the outbreak of the Gaza war. He emphasizes that the reduction in flights—especially by low-cost carriers—has directly affected occupancy rates, with destinations that depend heavily on foreign tourists hit hardest, above all Petra.

Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities figures indicate that in the first four months of this year, the number of international visitors fell by roughly 5% compared with the same period last year, while overnight tourists declined by 7.8%. This has translated into pressure on occupancy rates, especially in sites reliant on foreign arrivals such as Petra and Wadi Rum.

Despite extensive media coverage and widespread concern, the government has yet to produce a practical, effective plan to rescue an industry accumulating debt and unable to meet salary obligations. Even with flexibility from the Social Security Corporation, businesses that cannot pay salaries will remain unable to respond—no matter how lenient the measures may be.

The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities is expected to champion the sector by presenting a carefully designed strategy—constructed in consultation with stakeholders, particularly the private tourism industry. The strategy should aim to prevent the erosion of long-established institutions that are currently struggling to cover salaries and social security contributions. Meanwhile, regional instability continues, and international media attention to Jordan as part of the broader conflict narrative has not abated.

Elsewhere in the region, neighboring countries have moved faster—offering financial packages that include support for tour-operator salaries and grants for hotel rehabilitation. Jordan’s Ministry of Tourism launched a program that combines government support and direct grants for hotel renovation and modernization, along with salary support and assistance for tour operators and inbound guides affected by the booking slump. The ministry also allocated significant resources to domestic tourism campaigns to sustain local demand.

Yet we have not seen a clear official statement—or a concrete rescue strategy—from the Ministry of Tourism or the Jordanian government. While obligations continue to accumulate, near the end of another month there is still no indication that the government will provide even a limited share of what is needed to cover salaries or social security contributions. The longer the response is delayed, the more likely it becomes that institutions will reach a point of no return.

It is reasonable to argue that, if the government—together with the Ministry of Tourism—were to compile accurate figures on urgent needs, it would become clear that a relatively small injection from the Central Bank—around 10 to 20 million dinars—could provide a genuine window of opportunity. With timely support, tourism offices, hotel owners, and tourism facilities could stabilize their operations, with the hope of a sector recovery by the end of the year—or at least from September onward.