Amman: The Lower House's Tourism and Antiquities Committee, led by MP Salem Omari, convened with the leadership of the Jordan Society of Tourism and Travel Agents, including its Chairman Mahmoud Khasawneh and Director General Talal Al-Majali, to tackle pressing issues within the tourism sector. The discussions focused on strategies to improve the sector's competitiveness and the necessity of modernizing regulations to align with current demands.
According to Jordan News Agency, Omari underscored the need to reassess tourism legislation, aiming to bolster Jordan's appeal as a tourist hotspot. He highlighted Jordan's standing as a hub for medical and religious tourism, advocating for these strengths to be used in broadening the economic development base, opening new markets, and enhancing local employment opportunities through diversified tourism offerings.
Committee members, including MPs Youssef Alrawadyeh, Nabil Al-Shishani, Mai Alzayadneh, Jamal Qammoh, and Najma Alhawawsheh, expressed unanimous support for initiatives that would advance the tourism sector. They emphasized the significance of partnerships between public and private sectors and the involvement of industry professionals in legislative processes to benefit both the sector and the national economy.
Khasawneh emphasized the travel and tourism sector's critical role in the national economy, advocating for collaboration with the parliamentary committee to expedite the sector's recovery. He pointed out that Jordan hosts approximately 815 travel and tourism offices employing around 6,000 individuals, highlighting the necessity for a conducive legislative and regulatory environment to maintain sector sustainability and economic contribution.
Khasawneh called for the Tourism Law to be updated to address current needs, the opening of new markets, the resumption of charter flights to invigorate tourism activity, and increased oversight of unlicensed operators to safeguard Jordan's tourism reputation. He also urged Jordan to integrate into the global aviation network to enhance its status on the international air transport map, support tourism growth, increase air traffic, and synchronize holiday calendars with Arab nations to foster regional tourism.