Authorities allow tourists of ‘restricted nationalities’ to enter country

AMMAN – The government has decided to allow the entry of tourists from restricted nationalities according to certain conditions, but travel agents cried foul due to “unreasonable” requirement set. 

At a meeting on Tuesday, Interior Minister Salameh Hammad said tourism agencies that wish to bring tourist holders of restricted nationalities should provide a JD50,000 bank guarantee and deposit the amount in the names of interior and tourism ministers. 

“This is totally unworkable and unfair. The country is witnessing a disastrous decline in tourism and all these decisions are contributing to making it worse ,” said Shaher Hamdan, the president of the Jordan Society of Tourism and Travel Agents.

He added: “Instead of facilitating the entry of tourists from around the world to revive the tourism sector, more restrictions are being imposed.”

“Travel and tourism operators are suffering now and few can afford a JD50,000 bank guarantee. Many are struggling to pay employees’ salaries,” Hamdan told The Jordan Times, noting that there are currently 200 travel agencies in Jordan. 

He noted that restricted nationalities include Iran, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Yemen and Libya. 

The interior minister, on the other hand, underlined the importance of streamlining the sector, saying that there are imbalances that should be addressed. 

“Some tourists come to the country and do not leave. They stay for work,” the minister said, adding that stricter security measures should be in place to ensure they leave after the end of their visit. 

“Tourism agencies should live up to their responsibilities in ensuring that tourists of restricted nationalities leave the country,” said Hammad. 

He called for enhancing cooperation between concerned ministries and tourism agencies to set the guidelines for the industry.

Hamdan said the idea of providing bank guarantees is not “feasible” and “will not be fruitful whatsoever”. 

“We will hold a meeting next week to voice our frustration with the new decision, which was taken without our consultation ,” he announced.