Tourism declines in Jordan due to escalating conflicts in Gaza
The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas has taken a significant toll on Jordan's tourism industry, particularly in the famous UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra. The region, known for its stunning temples hewn from rose-pink cliff faces, has witnessed a sharp decline in tourism, leading to hotel closures and job losses.
In 2023, Jordan welcomed 1,174,137 visitors, a figure that dropped dramatically by around 61 percent to 457,215 in 2024 [1][2]. This decline has forced the closure of 32 hotels in Petra, resulting in nearly 700 job losses in the hospitality sector [1].
Tourism plays a crucial role in Jordan's economy, accounting for approximately 14 percent of the country's GDP [1][2]. The sharp decrease in visitors has thus delivered a significant blow to the national economy, especially in the southern region where Petra is located.
The reduction in tourism is largely attributed to travel reluctance from key markets such as Europe and North America amid the regional conflict. Although Jordan does not share a border with Gaza, the war’s broader regional instability and its political ramifications have dampened tourist flows across the kingdom [1][3].
The struggles of the tourism industry in Jordan are particularly evident around Petra. The current drop in tourism is having a significant impact on the hotel industry and tour operators in the area. Abdul Razzaq Arabiyat, the director of the national tourism board, stated that they feel the repercussions of the war on Gaza every day [1].
This tourism slump is part of a larger pattern where Jordan faces domestic and security challenges linked to the conflict, as well as strained Israel-Jordan relations [3][4]. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has directly resulted in a massive tourism slump in Petra, critically affecting hotels, employment, and the Jordanian economy reliant on this heritage site.
[1] Al-Mamlaka TV. (Monday). Reduction in Tourism Reported. [2] Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority. (2024). Drop in Tourism Report. [3] The Jordan Times. (2023). Jordan's Tourism Industry Affected by Regional Instability. [4] The Jerusalem Post. (2023). Israel-Jordan Relations Strained by Regional Tensions.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has had a significant impact on the tourism industry of Jordan, particularly around Petra, with the number of visitors dropping dramatically and causing a massive tourism slump. This decline in tourism has resulted in the closure of numerous hotels in the region and led to job losses in the hospitality sector. The tourism industry's struggles in Jordan are intertwined with regional conflicts and politics, as travel reluctance from key markets and the broader instability of the Middle East have contributed to the downturn in tourism.
