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Tourism in Jordan suffers sharp decline due to Gaza war
The tourism industry in Jordan is facing a major downturn due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, despite the country not sharing a border with the war-torn enclave. Since October 2023, when hostilities erupted between Israel and Hamas, the number of tourists visiting Jordan has plummeted, particularly affecting the UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra.
According to official data from the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority, tourist visits dropped by 61% in one year, falling from 1.1 million in 2023 to just 547,215 in 2024. The figures were shared by Jordan’s state broadcaster Al-Mamlaka.
“This war is hurting us every day, especially service providers in the tourism sector,” said Abdel Razzaq Arabiyat, Director of the Jordan Tourism Board. He highlighted that visitor numbers from Europe and North America have fallen to historic lows, dealing a severe blow to hotels, guides, and tour operators, particularly in the Petra region.
The fallout has been dire: 32 hotels have closed and nearly 700 people have lost their jobs, according to the same source. Petra, known for its rose-red rock-cut architecture, is Jordan’s most iconic tourist site and a vital source of income. Tourism contributes roughly 14% of the country’s GDP.
Authorities remain hopeful that once regional tensions ease, Jordan’s appeal as a safe and culturally rich destination will revive international interest.