Amman: A regional conference on sustainable tourism commenced in Amman, under the patronage of Senate President Faisal Fayez, with participation from several Arab delegations. The conference seeks to enhance awareness about tourism's significance, share expertise, and foster Arab cooperation in sustainable tourism, while promoting public-private partnerships to advance Jordan's tourism sector.
According to Jordan News Agency, Senate President Fayez underscored the significance of hosting the conference in Amman, emphasizing Jordan's vast cultural and historical tourism potential. He stated that the objectives should focus on ensuring tourism contributes to local community development, job creation, and improved living standards. Fayez highlighted tourism's role as a pivotal component of Jordan's economy, citing its capacity to generate employment and drive growth, sustainable development, and community empowerment.
Fayez acknowledged the challenges posed by regional conflicts and instability, which have adversely impacted tourism across the Arab world and in Jordan. He emphasized the necessity of revitalizing Jordanian tourism by unifying efforts among stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. This includes restoring competitiveness, developing the tourism product, and promoting it on local, regional, and international levels by leveraging the expertise of Arab and regional states.
He stressed the importance of equipping the sector with sufficient resources and practical plans to surmount current regional challenges and rejuvenate tourism, given its critical role in economic resilience. Restoring Jordan's status as a prime tourism destination, Fayez noted, involves attracting visitors globally, with a focus on regions such as Southeast Asia and Latin America. Strategies include targeted marketing, reducing costs, listing archaeological and tourist sites on the global tourism map, extending visitors' stays, and enhancing digital marketing through social media. He also highlighted the need to facilitate travel to the Kingdom via low-cost airlines.
Furthermore, Fayez called for supporting tourism establishments by easing access to bank facilities, rescheduling debts, deferring loan installments and interest, and simplifying entry procedures for tourist groups at land crossings and airports. He emphasized the importance of coordination among all stakeholders to reinvigorate the tourism sector, which currently faces significant challenges.