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AMMAN — Jordan’s tourism sector is showing “strong” signs of recovery, with international visitor arrivals rising by 19 per cent during the first third of 2025 compared with the same period last year, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The ministry reported that the Kingdom welcomed around 2.125 million international visitors between January and April, up from 1.785 million during the same period in 2024, reflecting growing international interest in Jordan as a travel destination and highlighting tourism’s continued role as a vital contributor to the national economy.

Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) remained the top entry point, accounting for 33.1 per cent of all arrivals, with more than 705,000 visitors entering through the airport.

“This growth reflects not only a post-pandemic rebound but also the success of government tourism strategies and targeted regional marketing,” economic analyst Rami Abdulla told The Jordan Economic. “Tourism plays a major role in GDP and job creation, and a consistent rise in arrivals benefits multiple sectors.”

Land border crossings also contributed significantly. The Omari crossing recorded 23.8 per cent of total tourist entries (over 507,000 visitors), followed by the King Hussein Bridge (10.4 per cent) and the Jaber crossing (9.2 per cent), according to the ministry’s figures.

Other points of entry included Wadi Araba (3.8 per cent), Aqaba’s seaport (2.8 per cent), the Jordan Valley crossing (2.6 per cent), the Karameh crossing (1.5 per cent), and King Hussein Airport in Aqaba (0.3 per cent).

Salma Taha, who runs a tourism business in Petra, said she has seen a noticeable rise in bookings and renewed confidence among tour operators. “We’re witnessing steady demand from Europe, the US, and GCC countries. The numbers are promising, especially for small businesses that rely heavily on international travellers,” she said.

Petra, in particular, is attracting a new wave of tourists drawn by live music events and cultural performances. Sector officials noted that an increasing number of international visitors are now travelling specifically to attend concerts held at the historic site. “Travel agencies are responding by offering curated packages that include concert tickets, luxury accommodations, guided tours, and visits to nearby attractions,” said Hani Karim, a travel agency employee, told  The Jordan Times.

As the tourism sector continues to rebound, stakeholders are calling for sustained investment in infrastructure, digital transformation, and workforce development to ensure long-term growth.

AMMAN — On the occasion of the 79th Independence Day, the Jordan Press Association (JPA) on Sunday paid tribute to the sacrifices of Jordanians who achieved independence and laid the foundations of the modern Jordanian state, with all the progress and revival it has witnessed. 

The JPA highlighted the Kingdom’s distinguished path, characterised by moderation, tolerance, and humanity, as well as its high international standing amid a turbulent regional environment, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The JPA council, in a statement, noted that building a modern and advanced state has been a “central” goal pursued by the Kingdom over the past decades. 

The association said that safeguarding independence laid the groundwork for Jordan to emerge as a model in technical and technological advancement, reflecting its success across various sectors and reinforcing its regional and international stature.

The council praised the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and security agencies that defend the nation in times of war and protect it in peace, ensuring the Kingdom remains an “oasis of security and stability” against all who seek to harm its image or undermine its efforts that have contributed to regional peace and security.

The council pointed to the development witnessed in the media sector since independence in terms of “professionalism, skill, and workforce competence,” alongside harnessing the information revolution and benefiting from the continuous support of the leadership to empower Jordanian media to remain free, responsible, professional, pluralistic, and independent.

It stressed the importance of ensuring Jordanian media has a “strong” presence regionally and internationally to serve as the nation’s first line of defence against distortion and misinformation.

The council called for openness towards media outlets and facilitating the flow of information as a means to counter rumours and bolster public confidence in national institutions and the homeland, helping to build a media environment rooted in transparency and credibility.

It reaffirmed the association’s unwavering commitment to supporting Jordan’s journey in building a “strong, modern” state founded on justice, dignity, and freedom, while keeping pace with the advancements of the digital and technological era, as part of the enduring achievements of independence.

The council extended its congratulations to His Majesty King Abdullah, HRH Crown Prince Hussein, citizens, and Jordanian journalists.

AMMAN — The Jordanian field hospital in northern Gaza has carried out a blood donation campaign coinciding with the Kingdom’s 79th Independence Day.

The campaign was conducted as part of the hospital’s ongoing initiatives to promote social solidarity and support blood banks in the Strip, amid challenging health conditions and the constant need to maintain blood supplies to ensure the provision of essential medical services, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Sunday.

The hospital's commander said that the campaign reflects Jordan’s continued humanitarian and relief efforts, with the Jordan Armed Forces- Arab Army (JAF) continuing its medical and humanitarian role in Gaza. 

He added that the campaign embodied a spirit of “solidarity and loyalty” shown by JAF personnel to their leadership and homeland, in conjunction with the Kingdom’s celebrations of its 79th Independence Day.

The campaign witnessed a wide participation from the medical and administrative staff at the field hospital, who stressed that donating blood is a humanitarian duty that contributes to saving lives and enhances the readiness of the health sector in Gaza.

The field hospital received 3,000 medical cases during May, including 15 major and minor surgeries, chronic disease follow-ups, laboratory tests, and emergency cases.

These services were provided through fully equipped specialised clinics to ensure patients’ needs are met efficiently.

Jordan runs two military field hospitals in Gaza, one in the Strip's north, which was established in 2009 following the war in 2008.

The second was established in Khan Younis in the south in November 2023 at the peak of the Israeli war of aggression on the coastal enclave that erupted on October 7, 2023.

Besides the field hospitals in Gaza, the JAF established the Jordanian field hospital in Nablus in late November 2023 and has conducted over 900 surgeries and received more than 83,000 patients ever since.

AMMAN — The Interior Ministry has allowed Jordanians to travel overland to Syria through the Jaber border crossing without prior approval, provided there are no security-related restrictions.

According to a document obtained by the government-owned Al Mamlaka TV, travel will be permitted exclusively via public transportation, with private vehicles still prohibited.

Interior Minister Mazen Farraya had ordered the closure of the Jaber crossing, opposite Syria’s Nasib crossing, on December 6, 2024, due to escalating security concerns in southern Syria.

On March 23, the ministry, in coordination with relevant authorities, approved the resumption of 24-hour operations at the crossing. 

AQABA — Stretching over seven kilometres along the southern coast of Aqaba, the Aqaba Marine Reserve has emerged as Jordan’s first marine sanctuary and a global model for sustainable tourism and environmental conservation.

Established in 2020 under Royal directives, the reserve is managed by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA). It aims to protect the region’s coral reefs and diverse ecosystems while promoting environmental awareness and ensuring the sustainable use of marine and terrestrial resources.

“The reserve was created to safeguard biodiversity, manage marine activities responsibly, and enhance public understanding of marine conservation,” said Nasser Alzawaideh, Director of the Aqaba Marine Reserve, in a recent interview with The Jordan Times.

Home to some of the richest marine ecosystems in the region, the reserve hosts an astonishing array of marine species. Its vibrant coral reefs feature 157 species of hard coral, including a rare tube coral and three varieties of fire coral. Additionally, 15 coral species found here are unique to the area.

The surrounding waters are teeming with life, supporting 512 species of fish across 109 families. The ecosystem also shelters three main types of seagrasses, crucial breeding grounds for marine life, alongside molluscs, crustaceans, and 18 genera of benthic algae.

Critically endangered sea turtles, including the hawksbill and green turtle, also find refuge in the reserve’s waters.

“This ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological balance of the Gulf of Aqaba,” Alzawaideh said.

International recognition

In recognition of its sustainable practices, the reserve has been designated a Category VI protected area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), denoting areas managed primarily for sustainable use of natural ecosystems.

In 2025, the reserve was added to the IUCN Green List, a prestigious global certification for protected areas that meet high standards of conservation, management, and community engagement.

That same year, the reserve’s Blue Beach received the coveted Blue Flag Award for water quality and environmental safety for the third consecutive year (2023–2025). 

It also passed the initial technical phase of a nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status, a significant milestone toward global heritage recognition.

The reserve is equipped with visitor amenities including restrooms, shaded areas, playgrounds, and campsites. 

Trained lifeguards, daily cleaning crews, recycling bins, and first aid stations ensure visitor safety and environmental upkeep. Open fires and littering are strictly prohibited, with fines imposed for violations. Native palms and other trees have also been planted to preserve the natural landscape.

Serving both as a research hub and public recreation area, the reserve conducts biodiversity surveys and climate impact studies in collaboration with global partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

With over 30 dive sites, vibrant snorkelling areas, glass-bottom boat tours, and camping zones, the reserve draws tourists from across the globe. Despite its world-class offerings, entry to the beaches remains free, underscoring its mission of making sustainable nature experiences accessible to all.