Ammon News - Hotel bookings in Petra have dropped by approximately 80% in April compared to total hotel capacity, while cancellations for May have reached around 50%, according to the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA), Adnan Al Sawair.

In remarks to Al-Mamlaka TV, Al Sawair said the tourism sector in Petra began 2026 on a positive note in terms of visitor numbers, but those gains sharply declined later, at times nearing zero, due to ongoing regional tensions. He stressed that Petra is among the most affected areas, given its heavy economic reliance on tourism.

Al Sawair noted that all hotels in Petra are operating normally without disruptions, adding that previously struggling hotels have rectified their status. He confirmed that no hotels are currently closed due to regional conditions or the decline in tourist numbers. He also encouraged visits to the Rose City, highlighting its mild weather as an opportunity to boost tourism and support the local economy.

Regarding recovery efforts, Al Sawair said the current focus is on stimulating domestic tourism through the “Urdunna Jannah” program, which recorded 5,400 participants in its first week. These were distributed across 168 tourist trips, involving 168 tour guides, 43 travel agencies, 20 restaurants, and 30 hotels and camps. Additionally, 950 participants took part in overnight programs in Petra.

He added that the Petra Authority, in cooperation with the Tourism Promotion Board, is working to attract foreign tourists residing in Gulf countries and Egypt via land routes. Authorities are also considering reducing entry fees for non-Jordanian visitors to stimulate demand and boost inbound tourism.

Al Sawair highlighted a set of precautionary measures introduced to protect tourism sector workers and ensure job stability. These include activating domestic tourism programs, expanding tourism outreach, and forming a joint task force comprising public and private sector representatives to monitor developments and address emerging challenges.

He emphasized that supporting the tourism sector and local communities in Petra remains a national priority, with ongoing coordination with government entities to mitigate the impact of the downturn. Petra’s hotel capacity currently stands at nearly 5,000 rooms.

In a related development, the Cabinet has decided to cover interest on financial facilities granted to tourism establishments, enabling them to meet operational expenses, particularly staff salaries. The decision also includes facilitating the rescheduling and installment of financial obligations through the end of 2026.

This move comes as part of broader efforts to sustain the tourism sector, mitigate the impact of regional instability, preserve jobs, and ensure businesses can continue operating while safeguarding existing investments.