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Ammon News - The State of the Country 2021 report called for rescheduling debts of entities operating in the tourism sector, which would allow their repayments to start at the beginning of 2023 according to an agreed timetable.

The report, launched by Jordan's Economic and Social Council (ESC), recommended providing financial assistance to international tourism offices and exempting them from taxes until 2023 to carry out their duties and ensure their sustainability and continuity.

Under the same recommendation, action was proposed to motivate Aqaba and Dead Sea hotels to make discounted offers and find a competitive product, such as "Inclusive All" tourism and reduce hotel food and beverage prices and unify procedures and instructions for entry and exit at all Jordanian air, land and maritime crossings.

The report also pointed to the importance of implementing affordable residency programs for Arab businesspeople to stimulate investment and reconsider opening entry for restricted nationalities from countries that need prior approval such as Afghanistan, Iran, Philippines, Pakistan, Vietnam, Iraq, Yemen, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Guinea.

With regard to the restaurants sector, the report called for giving a quota for permits and employment in the tourism sector and revamping the multiple fees imposed on this activity.

As for civil society institutions and local community, the report stressed the need to pay attention to community tourism and small and medium investment projects funded and managed by local community's members, such as eco-camps, agri-tourism projects, and enterprises on tourist trails.

The document noted the need to involve local communities in outlining plans for developing tourism in their areas, developing efficiency of the road infrastructure connecting the targeted sites, paying attention to public services through daily follow-up and a periodic maintenance plan.

In this regard, the report highlighted the possibility to benefit from expertise of neighboring countries, such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia in public services management and tourist and archaeological sites' preparation to help tourists tour these attractions easily and get acquainted with their historical importance.