AMMAN – In light of the development of the tourism sector and an envisaged increase in the number of tourists, more hotels are to be built in various governorates near historical and biblical attractions to encourage visitors to extend their stays, explained the experts.
They said that high-end hotels are mainly found in certain governorates, such as the capital Amman, Aqaba and the Dead Sea. But they are hardly found in other locations, such as the central city of Madaba, which was recently named the Arab Tourism Capital for 2022, and northern governorates such as Ajloun, which is characterized by its scenic landscapes.
Tourist guide Atef Al-Zaidan told Jordan News that investors may be interested in building luxury hotels, but are ‘worried’ that business activity is ‘seasonal’, limited to certain times of the year .
“Madaba, for example, needs more hotels,” he said. “Decision makers must develop marketing and publicity plans to publicize this city and other cities that stand out for the splendor of their heritage in order to highlight their importance both at the Arab and international level.”
“This will encourage investors to establish new hotels there,” he suggested.
Awni Kawar, President of Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Associationsaid the capital of any country in the world is generally “characterized as the most attractive, with the least risk, for investment”.
He pointed out that for investors to invest money “requires the presence of good services and infrastructure”.
Investor Nidal Malo Al-Ain wondered why there were so many hotels in one area of Amman, the Fifth Circle.
“It puts pressure on the infrastructure of the region,” he said.
“We need to provide incentives and encourage investors to build similar projects in suburban areas to avoid overcrowding,” he noted.
Madaba, he said, needs more hotels “because it is characterized by an active tourist movement, and sometimes the occupancy rate there is even higher than that of Amman.”
He pointed out that the “concern” of investors will be allayed, if the government “provides exemptions and better incentives on energy, taxes and customs”.
Ahmad Al-Rifai, spokesman for the Ministry of Tourismsaid the ministry “encourages investment in the suburbs”.
“We call on investors to establish three or four star hotels in various areas to attract more tourists,” he said.
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