www.tourism.jo Tourism is the largest global industry, and the tourism market is growing. According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), the global tourism market will triple in size by 2020. Tourism benefits local economies substantially by increasing foreign exchange earnings, creating employment and investment opportunities, increasing government revenues, developing a country's image, and supporting all sectors of the economy as well as local communities.
Tourism is of vital importance to the national economy of Jordan . It is the Kingdom's largest export sector, it's second largest private sector employer, and it's second highest producer of foreign exchange. Tourism contributes more than US$800 million to Jordan 's economy and accounts for approximately 10 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
Jordan is a destination with many iconic tourist attractions, such as Petra , Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea . Yet despite its advantage and its importance to the economy , Jordan 's tourism sector is performing at a level far below it's potential. To achieve reasonable growth in the tourism sector that will in turn contribute to economic development and job creation, Jordan needs to make a significant investment of funds and efforts.
Jordan must focus on attracting high-yield visitors, developing niche products, enhancing the visitor experience, increasing international marketing, and improving infrastructure and the regulatory environment.
Jordan 's National Tourism Strategy 2004-2010 outlines the steps for doubling the Kingdom's tourism economy by 2010 using an integrated, value-chain approach involving government facilitation and investment in partnership with the private sector.
The strategy is designed to bring about the following results by 2010:
- Increase tourism receipts from JD570 million in 2003 to 1.3 billion (US$ 1.84 billion)
- Increase tourism-supported jobs from 40,791 in 2003 to 91,719, thus creating over 51,000 jobs.
- Achieve taxation yield to the government of more than JD455 million (US$637 million)
The strategy targets the following priority niche markets:
- Cultural Heritage (Archaeology)
- Religious
- Eco-tourism
- Health and wellness
- Adventure
- Meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE)
- Cruising
The government of Jordan is committed to allocating four percent of national tourism receipts for international marketing, product development, and human resources development through 2010.This contribution will more than double the current level of tourism investment. In addition to financial commitments, the government and the private sector will work together to strengthen the industry's institutional and regulatory framework. Together, they will take action to improve the competitiveness of the tourism sector and achieve the strategic objectives and plans set out in the National Tourism Strategy.
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