Jordan to launch 5-year visa to boost tourism industry
Jordan will be launching a multi-entry visa that will be valid for five years in order to boost the country’s worn-down tourism industry and faltering economy, the interior ministry announced.
The new visa will allow holders a three-month residency each time they arrive in Jordan to attract long-term tourists, entrepreneurs and investors, Interior Minister Mazen Faraya announced.
The interior ministry will continue to evaluate ways to promote investment and streamline procedures for tourists to enter and leave the country, he added.
Jordan’s per-capita income was just over $4,000 in 2020 and unemployment reached almost a quarter of the labour force in 2021.
Poor living conditions sparked protests, but while public displays of dissent in the country are sporadic they are muzzled by the heavy hand of Jordanian security forces.
After two years of bans and restrictions on entering Jordan, the kingdom in February decided to ease coronavirus-related restrictions on foreign visitors.
Jordan’s struggling economy relies heavily on international tourism and has been hit hard by the pandemic. Recent months have seen countries around the world lifting coronavirus restrictions for foreign travellers.
Jordan is reintroducing itself as an accessible, intriguing and multifaceted destination that appeals to the rising global tribe of intrepid travelers; independent, active, digital-empowered explorers and travelers seeking meaningful experiences and human connection.
Beyond the world wonder of Petra, the Jordanian experience has been getting global attention for award-winning nature spots and adventures like the Jordan Trail; that traverses the Kingdom from north to south offering views of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea at the planet’s lowest point. Amman for its urban and town tourism, attracting seekers of authentic flavors to enjoy the mosaic of Arabic culinary delights of the Jordanian kitchen.
In early 2020, the COVID pandemic brought to an abrupt halt what was already a remarkable multi-year acceleration and diversification of Jordanian tourism. With the Kingdom becoming easily accessible through low cost airlines, Jordan was shaking off its traditional “history lesson” positioning, and a new generation of Jordanian tourism innovators was adding exciting new layers of experiences to Jordan’s majestic ancient landscapes. With COVID being an international pandemic affecting us all worldwide, the tourism sector was one of the first sectors to be negatively impacted and most certainly will be the last to recover.
