Amman: Head of the Lower House Tourism and Antiquities Committee, Salem Omari, on Tuesday called for establishing a National Tourism Risk Fund. On its mission, Omari noted this fund would be dedicated "exclusively" to manage crises and emergencies facing the sector, enhance its resilience, and ensure rapid response to regional and global changes.
According to Jordan News Agency, Omari stated that the Kingdom's tourism sector has recently faced difficult regional circumstances that have directly impacted tourist activity and revenues. He emphasized the need for the integration of "effective institutional tools to proactively and systematically" address these crises. During a committee meeting attended by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Imad Hijazeen, and representatives from the Central Bank of Jordan, Omari stressed that the proposed fund should focus exclusively on tackling the sector's risks and emergencies, without taking on development tasks.
Omari highlighted that this initiative would support tourist establishments, ensure their continuity during times of crisis, and protect employment within the sector. He called for the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, both governmental and private, to contribute to the fund's establishment, financing, and management. Omari expressed his vision for developing a comprehensive national mechanism that can efficiently and flexibly address the risks facing the tourism sector.
For his part, Hijazeen remarked that the region's current crises have significantly impacted the tourism sector, which is inherently sensitive to any regional developments. He affirmed the sector's capacity to "rebound stronger" and called for promoting domestic tourism as a key pillar for supporting the sector, stimulating the economy nationwide, and enhancing the competitiveness of the tourist product.