Heatwave slashes Aqaba, Dead Sea, Petra hotel occupancy rates

AMMAN — Rocketing temperatures in Aqaba and the Dead Sea have caused a decline in both regions’ hotel occupancy rates, according to the Jordan Hotels Association (JHA). 

Hussein Hilalat, vice president of the JHA, said in a press statement that temperatures reached 40ºC in Aqaba, the Dead Sea and Petra over the past several days, which has markedly decreased hotel occupancy rates in comparison to previous years. 

The percentage of occupancy rates for five-star hotels in Aqaba from July 20-22 reached 63 per cent, compared to 55 per cent in the Dead Sea, 57 per cent in Amman and 35 per cent in Petra, according to Hilalat.

Occupancy rates of four-star hotels in Aqaba reached only 58 per cent, 48 per cent at the Dead Sea, 78 per cent in Amman and 33 per cent in Petra, he added. 

On the other hand, three-star hotels had an occupancy rate of 71 per cent in Amman, 9 per cent in Petra and 43 per cent in Aqaba.

In Aqaba and the Dead Sea, forecasts predicted an increase in occupancy rates, which were instead adversely impacted by the heatwave, according to Hilalat.  

He pointed out that tourists have instead turned to cooler regions in the north of the Kingdom, such as Ajloun and Jerash.

Hilalat emphasised that the current decrease in occupancy rates has not significantly affected the gross income generated by tourism across the Kingdom this year, given that money generated prior to June 30 of this year saw elevated occupancy rates compared to previous years. Further, any losses experienced during the summer season are expected to be compensated in autumn, he added.

The Meteorological Department said in a statement that the current heatwave may continue until the beginning of next month.