Ammon News - Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Emad Hijazin announced the formation of an emergency committee to address regional developments, noting that the launch of an electronic platform early next month in collaboration with the tourism sector, aimed at overcoming obstacles by offering integrated tourism packages.

During a meeting with the Parliamentary Tourism and Antiquities Committee to discuss the impact of regional developments on the tourism sector in the Kingdom on Sunday, Hijazin explained that these packages would include hotel accommodation with meals, tourist transportation, and guide services at preferential prices.

For his part, the head of the Parliamentary Tourism and Antiquities Committee, Salem Omari, emphasized the importance of the tourism sector and its vital role in supporting the state treasury, stressing the need for permanent and rapid solutions to address the challenges facing the sector.

Omari called for support for workers in this sector amid current circumstances, emphasizing the importance of reviving tourism and enhancing its recovery capacity.

The meeting was attended by the Director General of the Social Security Corporation, Jadallah Al-Khalaileh, the Director General of the Income and Sales Tax Department, Hussam Abu Ali, representatives from the Central Bank of Jordan, and representatives of the tourism sector.

MPs Wasfi Haddad, Nabil Al-Shishani, and Youssef Al-Ruwaida stressed the need to remove obstacles facing the sector, particularly under current conditions, support domestic tourism, amend the Tourism Law, and ease burdens on visitor centers.

Meanwhile, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Khaldoun Al-Weshah, stated that the bank had provided support to economic sectors affected by the war, especially the tourism sector.

Abu Ali noted that there is cooperation between the Tax Department and the Ministry of Tourism, including installment plans for tax dues on tourism establishments.

Al-Khalaileh confirmed that the amounts due from establishments have been extended with zero interest until June 30, 2026, with a study underway to extend these facilities until the end of the year, in addition to suspending seizure procedures against these establishments in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The Director of the Association of Banks, Maher Al-Mahrouq, stated that banks have provided facilities to support the tourism sector in facing challenges.

Representatives of travel agencies, the Association of Restaurants and Tourist Guides confirmed that the sector is still suffering since the COVID-19 pandemic and has been heavily affected by regional developments, calling for suspension and installment of taxes and social security contributions, and including tourist guides under the high-risk professions in the social security system.