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