- Title: JORDAN: Influx of Gulf tourists boosts the kingdom's economy
- Date: 28th July 2011
- Summary: AMMAN, JORDAN (RECENT - JULY 17, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BUILDINGS AND TOURIST SITES VARIOUS OF TRAFFIC ON STREET VARIOUS OF GULF TOURISTS WALKING IN SHOPPING AREA GULF TOURISTS SITTING IN CAFE CARS DRIVING THROUGH SHOPPING DISTRICT CAR WITH SAUDI ARABIAN NUMBER PLATE PEOPLE GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE CAR WITH KUWAITI NUMBER PLATE AMMAN, JORDAN (RECENT - JULY 18 2011) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) NAYEF AL FAYEZ, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF JORDAN TOURISM BOARD SAYING: "During June, we witnessed a drop in the number of European visitors and visitors from the Arab Gulf area started arriving. We started noticing a high number of visitors from the Arab Gulf states by the end of June. This is reflected in the figures at the start of July. The figures look very promising." AMMAN, JORDAN (RECENT - JULY 17, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE IN SHOPPING AREA (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FATOUH BIN SALEM, VISITOR FROM THE GULF, SAYING: "The environment (in Jordan and the Gulf) is similar. And also, the prices are affordable and there is security and stability. Security is the most important thing. If there is security, a visitor and his family can find stability. And the prices are affordable, they are not very high." VARIOUS OF GULF VISITORS SITTING IN CAFE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) KHALEEL SHARAR, VISITOR FROM THE GULF, SAYING: "Jordan is my first choice because there is security and stability, the people are kind. This is my second home." VARIOUS OF GULF CARS PARKED OUTSIDE CAFE IN WESTERN AMMAN CAR WITH SAUDI ARABIAN NUMBER PLATE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SITTING IN CAFE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) KHALID AL MASRI, DIRECTOR OF EL MONDO CAFE IN WESTERN AMMAN SAYING: "This year, there have been many more Gulf Arab visitors, compared to last year. As you can see, tourism has become related to security, it's not just about tourism for the sake of it." VARIOUS OF HOTELS
- Embargoed: 12th August 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Jordan, Jordan
- Country: Jordan
- Reuters ID: LVADYQDZZ16GLD27U4FFPACNUWTX
- Story Text: After months of unrest across the Middle East, high-spending Arab Gulf tourists are this year avoiding many of their traditional holiday destinations.
With countries such as Egypt, Syria and Tunisia currently looking less attractive, relatively stable Jordan is fast becoming a popular alternative for Gulf visitors escaping blistering desert summers at home.
According to Jordan's tourist board, there has been a marked difference in the types of visitors coming to the country in recent months.
"During June, we witnessed a drop in the number of European visitors and visitors from the Arab Gulf area started arriving. We started noticing a high number of visitors from the Arab Gulf states by the end of June. This is reflected in the figures at the start of July. The figures look very promising," said the board's managing director, Nayef al-Fayez.
Although the arrival of thousands of Gulf visitors with large vehicles has caused even more congestion on Amman's already clogged streets, the extra tourism receipts have given a welcome boost to the flagging economy.
Some Gulf visitors said it was the relative calm in Jordan that had attracted them to the kingdom.
"There is security and stability. Security is the most important thing. If there is security, a visitor and his family can find stability. And the prices are affordable, they are not very high," said Gulf tourist Fatouh Bin Salem.
While Jordan has seen protests over the past few months, with activists calling for political reform, the kingdom has not seen the turmoil that has spread across much of the Arab world since January, leading to the overthrow of long-time regimes in Tunisia and Egypt as well as clashes in Syria, Yemen and Bahrain.
"Jordan is my first choice because there is security and stability, the people are kind. This is my second home," said Khaleel Sharar, also from the Gulf.
Tourism is considered one of the pillars of Jordan's economy, contributing up to 14 percent of the country's GDP in 2010, according to official figures.
In reaction to a drop in tourist numbers, the Jordanian government this year cut sales taxes for hotels and tourism facilities to help the struggling industry.
But those working in the sector say it is security concerns that have taken precedence over everything else.
"This year, there have been many more Gulf Arab visitors, compared to last year. As you can see, tourism has become related to security, it's not just about tourism for the sake of it," said Khalid al-Masri, who runs a cafe in a fashionable Amman neighbourhood.
While Jordan's economy has weathered the global economic downturn better than most Western economies, domestic demand, exports, tourism and remittances from abroad have all been hit and the kingdom's budget deficit reached new highs over the past two years.
Jordanians believe a recent invitation by rich Gulf dynasties to join the Gulf Cooperation Council could yield positive results for the country's ailing economy and usher in a new era of ties with the club of Gulf monarchies. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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