Amman - Experts and workers in the tourism sector said that Jordan is the preferred tourist destination for Arab families in general and Gulf families in particular, thanks to its ancient history, picturesque nature, and the security and safety it enjoys, in addition to the hospitality and generosity of its people, and their authentic Arab customs and traditions.
They stressed to the Jordan News Agency (Petra) Jordan's continuous interest in developing the tourism sector and the necessary facilities to be continuously attractive to Arab tourists in particular and foreigners in general, especially since Jordan occupies a great touristic position in the hearts of Gulf and Arab people.
They said, "The most important thing that contributes to attracting Arab tourists, especially Gulf tourists, to Jordan is the appropriate family atmosphere, which is the first criterion for Gulf families who visit Jordan on a regular basis to spend enjoyable times in the Kingdom."
They pointed out the importance of focusing on festival and shopping tourism that attracts Arab tourism , attracting Arab tourism agents and providing tourism programs that suit the requirements of family tourism , in addition to the Tourism Promotion Authority focusing its marketing strategy on Arab markets more.
They stressed that inter-Arab tourism is more profitable for tourism income, as the Arab tourist stays longer and spends more. In addition to that, there are positive effects of inter-Arab tourism in increasing the bonds of brotherhood, cultural and social communication, and increasing commercial and industrial cooperation between the people of this one nation, which increases the cohesion of the Arab people regarding their national issues.
Professor Ibrahim Al Kurdi, from the Faculty of Tourism at the University of Jordan, said, “ Gulf tourism is not severely affected by factors of instability in the region, nor is it characterized by the extreme sensitivity that characterizes global tourism towards disturbances in the region. Therefore, Gulf tourism , especially during periods of political unrest, compensates for the decline witnessed by international tourism to Jordan.”
He called for the need to intensify marketing and promotional campaigns directed at Arab tourists and to focus on the importance of defining the role of the private sector to increase its effectiveness in the field of tourism promotion to attract Arab tourism , and to work on providing channels of connection between the private sector in various countries to enhance this important role, in addition to the importance of developing air, land and sea transport policies as one of the main pillars in the field of tourism .
Dr. Al-Kurdi explained that Gulf tourism is primarily recreational and leisure tourism , as the preferred tourist attractions for Gulf tourists are summer resorts, mountain resorts, and cities characterized by moderate temperatures. Therefore, it is noted that Gulf tourism in the Kingdom is concentrated in the city of Amman and the surrounding areas, in addition to the Ajloun areas, where the temperature is moderate, forests, and green areas.
He added, " Recreational and urban tourism plays a fundamental role in attracting Gulf and Arab tourists and providing them with the services, facilities and amenities they prefer. Hotels, hotel apartments, furnished homes, amusement parks, entertainment cities and shopping centres are the most attractive factors for Gulf tourism ."
To make Jordan a top tourist destination for Arab tourists, especially in the field of family tourism , Vice President of the Jordan Hotel Association Hussein Hilalat said that it is possible to focus on several strategic axes that guarantee providing an integrated and distinguished experience for Arab tourists in general, including preparing marketing campaigns that directly target Arab tourists through social media and television advertisements, while highlighting the unique features of Jordanian tourist sites such as Petra, the Dead Sea, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, and the northern regions.
He pointed out the importance of providing tourist packages for families that include accommodation, transportation, recreational and educational activities at a reasonable cost, improving and developing the tourism infrastructure of hotels, resorts and recreational facilities, providing comfortable and safe transportation services between cities and tourist sites, in addition to establishing entertainment centers and playgrounds dedicated to children, and providing childcare services in hotels and resorts.
Hilalat pointed out the importance of facilitating visa and residence procedures for Arab tourists, and promoting the advantages of medical tourism in Jordan, such as mud and salt therapy in the Dead Sea, and mineral water therapy in Ma'in Hot Springs, and improving health services and therapeutic resorts to meet the needs of tourists seeking treatment and recreation.
He called for organizing activities and events that suit Arab and Gulf families, such as desert trips, diving in the Red Sea, and visiting museums and archaeological sites, while providing educational programs for children that include learning Jordanian culture and history in an attractive way, and organizing artistic and cultural festivals that showcase Jordanian and Arab heritage, such as music festivals, theatrical performances, and art exhibitions, while involving families in cultural activities through workshops and interactive exhibitions.
Hilalat stressed the need to develop and encourage ecotourism , promote lesser-known tourist sites that have unique natural and historical beauty, such as Dana Nature Reserve, Shaumari Nature Reserve, and the northern regions, develop the infrastructure in these areas to attract tourists, find low-cost airlines, and reduce the prices of airline tickets with Royal Jordanian to attract more Gulf and Arab tourists.
For his part, Dr. Mohammad Wahib, Professor of Heritage Studies at Queen Rania College of Tourism and Heritage at Hashemite University, said that current circumstances and previous experiences confirm that Arab markets are not greatly affected by regional events, and therefore Arab tourism is considered a goal for achieving economic development programs in the sector.
He added, "The increase in the number of Arab visitors depends on the ability to create new products and local and regional tourism routes, such as the International Incense Road and its Jordanian stations, the Global Silk Road that used to pass through Jordan, and other routes."
