Amman: The Senate's Tourism and Heritage Committee, led by Michel Nazzal, convened with leaders from various tourism associations to discuss a strategic vision aimed at revising the current legislation governing the sector, with a primary focus on the Tourism Law.
According to Jordan News Agency, the meeting included representatives from associations related to tourist restaurants, Jordanian hotels, travel and tourism agents, tour guides, tourism transport, and the Jordanian Association for Traditional Crafts and Industries. Nazzal emphasized the need for enhanced public-private collaboration in the tourism sector, highlighting its significant contribution to Jordan's economy, particularly in job creation and workforce integration. He stressed the importance of pushing forward with tourism development initiatives.
Nazzal proposed the establishment of a unified body for the sector by creating a Higher Tourism Council to coordinate efforts and references. He underscored the importance of shifting towards participatory governance by improving coordination and integration between the public and private sectors. This initiative aims to develop a comprehensive national strategy for tourism advancement, focusing on long-term planning, clear role division among stakeholders, and achieving sustainable tourism growth while enhancing service quality and competitiveness.
Tourism association representatives pointed out the sector's challenges, such as the multiplicity of authorities and overlapping mandates among relevant bodies, necessitating urgent action. They advocated for modernizing the legislative and regulatory framework to align with sector requirements, improve the investment climate, and boost competitiveness. They also called for stronger governance and institutional coordination under a unified entity to revive tourism activities and ensure their sustainability throughout the year.