Revealed On 7 Might 2026
Ukrainian vacationer Ruslana Novak and her good friend had Jordan’s historical metropolis of Petra largely to themselves as they stood earlier than its huge facade carved into pink sandstone.
Since america and Israel’s conflict on Iran started in late February, the famed Rose Metropolis has been largely abandoned, its common crowds of overseas vacationers all however gone.
“In fact, we heard concerning the conflict … It’s not an issue as a result of I’m from Ukraine, and we find out about conflict,” Novak, an insurance coverage agent, advised the AFP information company.
“This nation is surrounded by international locations which have conflict, however Jordan is … very calm,” she mentioned, describing it as secure and exquisite.
On the website’s entrance, memento vendor Khalid al-Saidat and his colleagues lingered in entrance of their stalls, cigarettes hanging from their lips. The donkeys and horses that often transport vacationers by the valley additionally stood idle.
The scene, he mentioned, mirrored “the collapse of tourism” in Jordan.
“The conflict in Gaza had led to an 80 to 90 p.c drop in tourism”, whereas the Iran battle had decreased the variety of overseas guests to “nearly zero”.
“We open each day with out realizing whether or not we’ll earn sufficient to dwell on,” he added.
Tourism accounts for 14 p.c of Jordan’s gross home product, based on official figures, with 60,000 individuals instantly employed within the sector and one other 300,000 depending on it. Final yr, greater than seven million guests generated $7.8bn in income.
Past Petra, Jordan is house to different main sights, together with the lunar landscapes of Wadi Rum, the Lifeless Sea and the famed archaeological website of Jerash.
The yr had began strongly, “with 112,000 overseas guests within the first two months, which is excellent”, mentioned Adnan al-Sawair, chairman of the board of commissioners of the Petra tourism authority.
“However all the pieces modified with the conflict,” he mentioned. The impression was speedy, with customer numbers to Petra in March and April dropping to between 28,000 and 30,000.
Cancellations have been so extreme that some lodges are contemplating closing.
Authorities have launched a scheme to encourage home tourism, however its impression stays “negligible”, Sawair mentioned, because the sector relies upon above all on overseas tour teams.
Because the begin of the conflict, particles from drones and missiles has fallen on the dominion, which doesn’t host any overseas navy bases however does have restricted contingents from a number of international locations beneath collective defence and cooperation agreements.
Jordan’s military mentioned 281 Iranian missiles and drones had been fired on the nation from the conflict’s onset till the start of the April ceasefire, most of them intercepted.
Earlier than the conflict, reserving calendars at journey businesses have been nearly full, based on the nationwide affiliation. They then emptied abruptly, inflicting a disaster for 1,400 licensed guides.
Confronted with the shortage of shoppers, memento vendor Ibrahim al-Atmeh packed up his wares sooner than common.
“We have been hoping for a superb spring season, however … our hopes are gone,” the 31-year-old mentioned.
