In an interview on the Jordanian television program “Yis’id Sabahak,” Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab highlighted positive indicators in the tourism sector at the beginning of 2025. She noted a 13% increase in visitor numbers and a 16% rise in tourism revenue, reaching approximately 910 million dinars by the end of February. An additional increase of around 300 million dinars is anticipated for March.
Minister Annab attributed the sector’s success to collaborative efforts among the Ministry, the Jordan Tourism Board, the Department of Antiquities, the private sector, and local communities. She emphasized the pivotal role of Jordanian citizens in supporting, promoting, and preserving tourism.
Highlighting the importance of local experiences, Annab praised community contributions in creating unique and impactful visitor experiences.
She described the “Jordan is Paradise” program as one of the Ministry’s key initiatives supporting domestic tourism. Over the past years, the program has attracted over one million participants, with approximately 311,000 in 2024 alone, stimulating economic activity in provinces and tourist sites affected by decreased visitor numbers.
Minister Annab stressed that developing the tourism product extends beyond site restoration to include enhancing logistical services such as sanitation facilities and accessibility, ensuring inclusive tourism for individuals with disabilities.
She also underscored the significance of listing Jordanian sites like Umm al-Jimal and Salt on the World Heritage List, enhancing Jordan’s international standing and encouraging visitor distribution across various tourist locations.
Annab pointed to the notable success of the “Dawn of Christianity” exhibition held between January and March, under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II and visited by Her Majesty Queen Rania. The exhibition garnered over 10 million online visits and approximately 12,000 in-person visitors. The Ministry plans to transform the exhibition into a mobile version to be showcased at various local and international sites, reaffirming Jordan’s position in religious tourism and cultural diversity.