Sustainable Destination Management
Strategies in the OIC Member Countries
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2.2.3. Jordan
Background
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is strategically located at a crossroad between Asia, Africa,
and Europe, bordering with Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Israel, and Palestine, and with a short strip
of about 25 kilometers of coast on the Red Sea: The Gulf of Aqaba is not only a strategic point as
a port but also a popular tourist destination. Although relatively young as an independent state,
Jordan has a long history, with archeological sites from some of the world's oldest civilizations,
most famously the ancient Nabataean city of Petra, carved in stone more than 2000 years ago,
one of the seven wonders of the world and one of the most spectacular attractions in the Middle
East. But Jordan has more to offer to the traveler. Its resources include: The Dead Sea that has
historically attracted people for its therapeutic properties, the breathtakingly beautiful desert
valley Wadi Rum, the Roman ruins of Jerash, and the capital Amman which offers a unique blend
of old and new, being a modern city with new buildings, hotels, restaurants, and a great offer of
shopping sites, coexisting with ancient monuments and archaeological sites.
A country known for its rich historical heritage, Jordan’s touristic resources go well beyond it.
The product offering in Jordan is quite diverse. It includes adventure and nature tourism for
active travelers who enjoy hiking, camping, quad driving or hot air ballooning in the natural
parks and deserts or scuba diving in the Red Sea. It also offers cultural and religious tourism,
MICE and wellness and medical tourism, a subsector contemplated in the medical Jordan
Economic Growth Plan 2018-2022.311 For the last two decades, tourism has been one of the
pillars of the country’s economy.312 In the last six years, however, it fell quite considerably, 313
following the 2008 worldwide economic recession and the Arab spring with the ensuing ongoing
conflict in the neighboring country of Syria. However, the sector seems to be recovering with a
total of 4,565,158 visitors in 2017, which is a 7.8% increase over the year 2016.314
Table 8: Jordan - Tourism Statistics
International tourist arrivals 3,761,072
International tourism inbound receipts US $4,064.9 million
Average receipts per arrival US $1,080.8
Travel and Tourism%of GDP 5.6%
Travel and Tourism employment 71,882 jobs
(4.5% of total)
Source: Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index 2017
Jordan was ranked 75th in the World Economic Forum 2017 Travel and Tourism
Competitiveness Index, two places up since 2015. It is highlighted in the same report that Jordan
311 The Economic Policy Council. (2018). Jordan economic growth plan 2018–2022. Retrieved from
312Alrawadieh, Z. (2010). The Jordanian national tourism system Retrieved from
313 Trading Economics (n.d.). Jordan tourist arrivals . Retrieved from
314 Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. (2017). Statistical summary 2017. Retrieved from