Amman, July 14 (Petra) — Jordan’s heavily subsidized domestic
tourism program, Urdon Jannah (Jordan is Paradise), has transformed
into a major national success story that has revitalized travel
agencies and stimulated local economies across governorates, the
Jordan Society of Tourism and Travel Agents (JSTA) said on Tuesday.

Bilal Rubin, JSTA spokesperson, told the Jordan News Agency, Petra,
that the program has successfully enabled citizens to visit
archaeological and tourist sites at subsidized rates while offering
critical financial support to private travel companies.

Rubin described the initiative as a highly effective model of
public-private partnership, noting its broad economic footprint in
generating jobs and driving business to hotels, restaurants,
transportation companies, and local markets in Jordan’s diverse
provinces.

“The results achieved by the program prove that it is one of the most
prominent national projects supporting the economy,” Rubin said,
adding that continuing and developing the scheme is no longer
optional but a necessity to maintain the momentum of domestic tourism
amid broader regional challenges facing the sector.

Rubin called on authorities to expand the initiative by increasing
its budget, adding more destinations, and scheduling more trips
throughout the year to accommodate a larger segment of the public.

Investing in the domestic tourism program represents a direct
investment in the national economy and supports thousands of
Jordanian families whose livelihoods depend on the sector, Rubin
said, praising the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
and all involved partners in driving the program’s success.

//Petra// AF