Tourism industry in Jordan recorded 27% increase in 2008 amid the global economic turmoil, largely due to the proper implementation of tourism strategies in the country.
According to Maha Khatib, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Jordan, tourism industry of Jordan grew massive 27% in 2008 as compared to previous year, as reported by MENAFN.
According to the Ministry, a sample of bookings in four and five star hotels for H1 2008 suggests that the with 15% cancellations up till now, hotel occupancy rate is expected to close at 55%. During Jan-Oct 2008, tourist arrivals in Jordan showed positive growth, corresponding to 6% and 39.2% rise in the inbound traffic and package tours respectively.
This remarkable increase in the Jordan’s tourism sector is due to the tourism-centric strategy of the country. The industry, which enjoyed a healthy growth in 2008, witnessed additional tourist arrivals as compared to 2007.
On the other hand, the Middle East, so far, seems to have remained more resilient as the growth till August outshined the rate that was recorded during the same period in 2007. Further, figures suggest that the country has so far remained unaffected, contrary to the other countries that are observing cancellations in the visitor arrivals.
Moreover, the industry, at the time, raised the price of the tour packages, but even then the industry observed good traffic. Meanwhile, representatives of the tourism transport companies stated that they have made necessary price cuts, synchronizing with the decline in price of gas due to financial recession. Also, the tourism industry is considering to introduce required changes soon.
However, the industry has displayed good performance up till now, but the months ahead may prove challenging for it. So to buffer the industry from the harmful impact of financial crisis in 2009, industry leaders have agreed on a strategic plan.
According to a Research Analyst at RNCOS, “Jordan’s tourism sector witnessed positive growth in 2008 due to the implementation of appropriate strategies. And experience same trend in future, the country should strongly promote the industry in countries like the US and the UK, which have suffered the most due to the recession. The industry should work as a unit and come up with tour packages to address the fast-changing visitor taste and requirements.”
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