Gov’t to address tourism sector woes in Petra — PM

AMMAN — Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Thursday met with representatives of the tourism sector in Petra and they briefed him on the most significant challenges facing them in the region, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

At the meeting, attended by Tourism Minister Nayef Al Fayez, the representatives said Petra, some 235km south of Amman, is facing serious challenges as a result of the drop in tourist numbers and overnight visitors. 

The drop, they said, has led to closing tourist facilities and laying off their employees, Petra reported.

They also commended the government’s recent decisions to support the tourism sector in the Kingdom in general, and Petra in particular. 

The representatives suggested creating a fund for tourism emergencies and exempting tourist activities from licensing fees. 

They also called on the Jordan Tourism Board to exert more efforts to promote the Nabataean city of Petra online and encourage domestic tourism.

Sector leaders also suggested ensuring that tourists coming via chartered flights should be offered to spend a night in Petra.

The meeting also covered the importance of turning the Petra region into a hub for the industry of international meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, with sector representatives suggesting the establishment of conference palace in Petra. 

Ensour said the tourism sector received the most support during the past few months through incentives and laws, voicing readiness to take more measures that could improve the current conditions. 

He said the government will ensure that ministries and public departments hold conferences in Petra to encourage tourist movement there.