in Jordan, the tourism sector has been at a standstill since the start of the war between Hamas and Israel

Since October 7, tourist numbers in the Middle East have been almost non-existent. This is particularly the case in Jordan, a neighboring country of Israel.

Tourists are deserting the Middle East due to the war between Hamas and Israel. A situation which particularly weakens Jordan and its famous sites like Petra, Wadi Rum or Akaba, whose economies are dependent on international visitors. Since October 7, the situation has been particularly alarming in the Hashemite kingdom, a country geographically neighboring Israel.

At the Amman Citadel, the main historic site of the Jordanian capital, half a dozen guides and a few security guards kill time by sipping tea on the cafeteria terrace normally occupied by tourists.

“We are a safe country”

After more than three months of war in Gaza, leading to a 90% drop in visitor numbers to the site, Mohamed, a tourist guide, wants to remain hopeful: “Tourism is really at half mast but thank God, we are in a safe country. It is true that war is present in the region but it is in a country other than ours, so people will eventually come back in Jordan.”

Before October 7, the citadel could receive up to 1,000 visitors per day. On the day of this report, three hours after the site opened, still no group in sight. We will have to wait until the end of the morning to finally see around twenty Spanish tourists appear, including Esperanca: “It’s a privilege to be here, alone. It’s an opportunity. Finally… we are aware that conflict is not a benefit for everyone and we are very sad and sorry for this situation. “

Government aid for the sector

Around 58,000 Jordanian men and women work directly in the tourism sector, and three times as many indirectly. To help them, the government has decided to temporarily cease the collection of social security contributions for affected companies and to involve the Jordanian central bank as part of an emergency plan for professionals in the sector. Makram Al-Qaisi is Jordanian Minister of Tourism: “It was agreed with the Central Bank of Jordan to study the state of the projects in difficulty, to intervene and postpone the bank deadlines due.”

Before October 7, the Hashemite kingdom recorded one of its best results as an international destination choice with arrivals exceeding pre-Covid levels by 20%, according to the World Tourism Organization.