Fares Breizat, Chairman of the Petra Development and Tourism Regional Authority, said that Petra's tourism sector has been greatly affected, saying that after the events of October 7, 2023, Petra will see a drop in visitors by around 400 daily. He added that he was suffering from.
This has a significant impact on all service providers in the Petra region, whether individuals or large companies providing local services, as well as hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, transport operators and guides, he added. Ta.
Before October 7, Petra was receiving between 5,000 and 6,000 visitors daily.
He said that what authorities are now seeking is to treat this crisis as an opportunity to reduce the impact on the tourism sector if it happens again.
～Stable tourism business～
He said this applies to volatile regional situations, such as faith-based religious tourism, whether Islamic or Christian pilgrimage, or contemplative and therapeutic tourism focused on rehabilitation and treatment. This will be done by focusing on the types of tourism that will not be significantly affected. recovery.
He added that the focus could also be on adventure tourism and related activities to promote tourist activity and support local communities.
Breizat said the Ministry of Tourism is implementing the national project in cooperation with tourism associations such as the Hotel and Restaurant Association, as well as specialized teams from the Petra Development Authority and the Aqaba Development Authority. The goal is to find ways to revive the tourism sector or reduce the impact of the crisis on it.
Breizat said this includes deferring social security contributions, licenses and other measures, stressing that it should be part of a comprehensive national policy and not just an immediate and limited response. did.
～Tourism industry faces high operating costs～
Meanwhile, Petra Hotel Association Chairman Marwan Al Nawafleh said that relevant authorities in the tourism industry have not taken immediate steps to protect the industry in the current crisis.
He added that the tourism sector faces significant challenges, including past crises such as the Arab Spring and the COVID-19 pandemic, which have had a significant impact on hotel occupancy.
The industry is plagued by high operating costs, forcing property owners to make difficult decisions about whether to open hotels at prices that don't match current demand.
Al Nawafleh explained that the hotel operation had suffered heavy losses in recent months. Despite contacting public authorities to protect employees and the investment sector, there is no timeline or response indicating interaction with their requests.
Al Nawafleh called for deferring financial obligations, saying it would benefit tourists and help reduce the financial burden on the sector.
