Amman, April 23 (Petra) -- The National Tourism Council convened its first session on Tuesday following its recent restructuring, chaired by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab at the ministry's headquarters.

The session marked a renewed effort to strengthen collaboration between public and private stakeholders and to reinforce the council’s strategic role in shaping Jordan’s tourism sector.

The meeting began with a presentation of the Ministry’s objectives and a review of the council’s updated mandate. Minister Annab highlighted the council’s central function as a policy advisory body dedicated to enhancing the diversity and quality of tourism offerings across the Kingdom.

She underscored the importance of continuity in the council’s work to keep pace with sector developments and emphasized the need for practical recommendations to address industry challenges.

Among the council’s priorities, according to Annab, are encouraging tourism investment and improving tourism infrastructure. She stressed that the council will continue to serve as a platform for aligning national tourism efforts with economic and social development goals.

Secretary-General of the Ministry, Fadi Balawi, presented an overview of the 2024 amendments to the Tourism Law. He noted that the revisions were introduced in response to sector needs and global trends, expanding the council’s responsibilities to include formulating national tourism policies, supporting tourism education and training, identifying new tourist sites, and proposing legislative and regulatory initiatives.

The session included a review of changes to the council’s structure and responsibilities, reaffirming its legislative and strategic role in tourism development. Discussions also covered the council’s tasks under the revised law, including approval of site development plans, oversight of service standards, and support for sector-specific human resource development.

Council members emphasized the importance of clearly defining strategic priorities for the coming period in line with the ministry’s vision and the Sustainable Development Goals. Participants agreed on an operational framework to ensure effective decision-making and implementation, including a preliminary schedule for bi-monthly meetings.

The meeting also included a discussion of sector challenges and current initiatives aimed at boosting tourist arrivals and attracting investment. At the conclusion of the session, Minister Annab shared key performance indicators for the first quarter of 2025, reporting a 9% year-on-year increase in tourism revenue and a 13% rise in visitor numbers.

Annab noted that while 2024 presented significant challenges, the diversification of tourism products played a critical role in reaching new markets and attracting a wider demographic of visitors. She also announced that Qatraneh Castle had been officially designated as a tourist site by Cabinet decision, further supporting site classification efforts.

Council members welcomed the sector’s progress and reaffirmed their support for ministry and council initiatives aimed at sustaining tourism growth. The meeting was attended by council members and representatives from key ministries, government departments, the private sector, and tourism associations.

//Petra// RZ

23/04/2025 12:55:58