The ongoing Middle East conflict has severely impacted tourism in Jordan’s ancient city of Petra, leaving its iconic sites largely deserted and local communities facing significant income loss.
Ukrainian tourist Ruslana Novak and her friend recently experienced the vast facade of Petra, carved into pink sandstone, with an unusual sense of solitude. Since the escalation of regional tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran began in late February, the famed Rose City, usually bustling with international visitors, has seen its crowds dwindle to almost nothing.
“Of course, we heard about the war… It is not a problem because I am from Ukraine, and we know about war,” Novak, an insurance agent, told AFP. She described Jordan as “very calm,” safe, and beautiful, despite being surrounded by countries experiencing conflict.
Devastating Economic Impact on Locals
At the entrance to Petra, souvenir seller Khalid al-Saidat and his colleagues stood idly by their stalls, cigarettes hanging from their lips. The donkeys and horses, typically used to transport tourists through the valley, also remained inactive. Saidat described the scene as a reflection of “the collapse of tourism” in Jordan.
He noted that the conflict in Gaza had already led to an 80 to 90 percent drop in tourism, while the broader regional tensions, particularly those impacting Iran, had further reduced the number of foreign visitors to “almost zero.” “We open every day without knowing whether we’ll earn enough to live on,” he lamented.
Tourism: A Pillar of Jordan’s Economy
Tourism is a vital sector for Jordan, accounting for 14 percent of its gross domestic product. Official figures indicate that 60,000 people are directly employed in the sector, with another 300,000 dependent on it. Last year, over seven million visitors generated $7.8 billion in revenue.
Beyond Petra, Jordan boasts other significant attractions, including the lunar landscapes of Wadi Rum, the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea, and the renowned archaeological site of Jerash.
Sudden Decline After a Strong Start
Adnan al-Sawair, chairman of the board of commissioners of the Petra tourism authority, reported a strong start to the year, with “112,000 foreign visitors in the first two months, which is very good.” However, he added, “But everything changed with the war.” The impact was immediate, with visitor numbers to Petra in March and April plummeting to between 28,000 and 30,000.
The severity of cancellations has led some hotels to consider temporary closures. Authorities have initiated a scheme to promote domestic tourism, but Sawair admitted its impact remains “negligible,” as the sector heavily relies on international tour groups.
Jordan’s Security Amidst Regional Unrest
Since the onset of the conflict, debris from drones and missiles has fallen on the kingdom. Jordan’s army stated that 281 Iranian missiles and drones were fired towards the country from the conflict’s beginning until the April ceasefire, with most being intercepted. Jordan does not host foreign military bases but has limited contingents from several countries under collective defence and cooperation agreements.
Booking calendars at travel agencies, once nearly full, abruptly emptied, creating a crisis for 1,400 licensed guides. Faced with the lack of customers, souvenir seller Ibrahim al-Atmeh, 31, packed up his wares earlier than usual. “We were hoping for an excellent spring season, but… our hopes are gone,” he expressed.
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