Amman, Aug. 9 (Petra) –The Kingdom received about 3.15 million
visitors during the first half of 2026, generating tourism revenue of
JD2.47 billion, according to the progress report of the Economic
Modernization Vision’s Executive Program for 2026–2029.

Tourist sites recorded about 1.31 million visits during the period,
as work continued to develop Jordan’s tourism product through
projects aimed at developing destinations and tourist sites and
improving the readiness of facilities and workers, despite regional
conditions.

To facilitate travel to Jordan and movement within the Kingdom,
target destinations for support were identified and an agreement was
signed with Royal Jordanian to support more than 60 air routes.

In religious tourism, work continued to identify and document the
Christian pilgrimage route and survey the lands located along it, in
preparation for completing its rehabilitation and ensuring its
sustainability. Work also began on the Mu’tah Battle Site in Al-Mazar
Al-Janoubi, including initial foundation works.

In conference tourism, Jordan hosted the International Congress and
Convention Association (ICCA) Middle East Summit 2026 at the Dead
Sea, with the participation of experts and sector representatives
from more than 11 countries. Cooperation was also carried out to
organize the MENA Travel Market 2026, with more than 2,500
specialists from 22 countries taking part.

In leisure tourism, a contract was signed for the design, manufacture
and supply of the Amman Cable Car system. Design work began on the
cable car system and station facilities in preparation for the
project’s final design.

In adventure tourism, work was carried out to map, identify and
document 250 kilometers of the Jordan Trail out of a total 670
kilometers, using modern equipment and internationally used
methodologies, with the aim of adopting and announcing it as an
official tourism trail.

In domestic tourism, around 118,000 people participated in the “Urdon
Jannah” program through approximately 3,800 trips. The program
benefited 322 tourism establishments across the Kingdom, including
restaurants, hotels, tourism offices and transportation companies.

In tourism promotion, the international campaign promoting Jordan
during the 2026 World Cup generated more than 893 million digital
impressions and targeted several countries, including the United
States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada and
Mexico.

Around 50 events were also added to the calendar.jo platform under
various categories, including entertainment, culture and arts, food
and drink, family and children, festivals, outings and sports, and
conferences across the Kingdom.

In Petra, 69 tourism, cultural and community events were organized
and held at the archaeological site, including concerts, photography
and camping activities and “Petra by Night,” among others, with
15,000 participants in attendance. A twinning agreement was also
signed between Petra and the Great Wall of China.

Regarding the development, management and preservation of tourism
sites and facilities, work began to rehabilitate bus and car parking
areas at the Jerash archaeological site, including accessibility
requirements for persons with disabilities and public safety
requirements.

In Ma’an, work began to develop and rehabilitate the Ma’an Heritage
Market, known as the “Bedouin Market.” In Salt, work began to improve
infrastructure, lighting and urban elements in the city center.

In Karak, preliminary studies and designs for the development of the
city center were completed and approved, while detailed designs are
being prepared. Work also began on a draft management plan for Karak
Castle.

At the Heritage Aviation Museum project in Aqaba, external site works
were completed, including the landscaping of earth slopes and
construction of retaining walls. Mechanical and electrical works were
also carried out in the hangar and buildings, bringing the project’s
completion rate to 80 percent.

Regarding tourism investment, first-phase infrastructure works at
Ajloun National Park reached 62 percent completion, while work began
on the Ajloun Visitor Center, with completion reaching 10 percent.

In Jerash, design and infrastructure works were carried out for the
Jerash Eco-Tourism Village in tourism activity areas, with building
finishing works reaching 60 percent completion.

At the Dead Sea, the Dead Sea Corniche and tourist beach were opened,
while work was carried out to develop the Dead Sea promenade and
parking areas (A&B). The project includes 20 kiosks for members of
the local community and an 8-kilometer cycling route in the Dead Sea
area.

Under the project to establish an entertainment city within the Amra
City project, a tender for a feasibility study was referred. The
planned entertainment city will cover 575 dunums and include
commercial and service areas, serving as an attraction for domestic
and international tourism.

For the Amra Exhibition and Conference Center project, final designs
were approved. The project includes 16,000 square meters designated
for exhibitions and 12,000 square meters for conferences, with a
capacity of up to 15,000 people and an estimated cost of JD50
million. The project is intended to serve as an integrated facility
for hosting local and international exhibitions, events and
conferences.

Regarding training and community empowerment, consultations with
partner organizations were completed, and the required training
skills and programs were identified for jobseekers, tourism-sector
workers, tourism service providers and local experience providers
from local communities during the current year.

Training programs were also prepared, along with trainers for
archaeological maintenance and restoration programs for the year.

Awareness lectures were held at 26 schools in Petra District to raise
students’ awareness of archaeology and strengthen their understanding
of the importance of preserving archaeological sites and their social
responsibility toward cultural heritage.

In addition, 327 young women from local communities in the Petra
Development and Tourism Region Authority were trained through
specialized programs in technical, handicraft and digital fields.

Regarding the establishment of international-level standards and
regulations for the tourism sector, 24 field awareness visits were
conducted since the beginning of the year to raise awareness among
hotel accommodation establishments about classification standards.

The number of five-star and five-star deluxe hotel accommodation
establishments holding international certifications reached 50.

Work also continued to apply water-saving technologies in sanitary
facilities at 46 tourist sites, while 88 waste-sorting bins were
supplied to tourist sites across different governorates to promote
the application of environmental sustainability practices at tourism
sites.

//Petra//WH