World Tourism Day.. Jordan Continues Digital Transformation to Enhance the Tourism Experience

The Ministry added: "On World Tourism Day.. we continue to work towards a more innovative tourism, more connected to the future"

Tourism Income

In terms of numbers, tourism income in Jordan rose by 17.2% in August last year, reaching $1.1 billion, according to Central Bank data.

Initial data released by the Bank earlier indicated that tourism income continues to recover, recording a 17.2% increase in August 2026 compared to the same month of the previous year, reaching $1,139.4 million.

Tourism income during the first eight months of 2026 recorded a 2.9% increase, reaching $5,557.6 million (about $5.56 billion).

The data showed an increase in tourism income from Arabs by 16.3%, and from Asian nationalities by 9.5%, while tourism income for expatriate Jordanians decreased by 5.9%, American nationality by 17.1%, European nationalities by 23.7%, and other nationalities by 39.9% during the first eight months of 2026.

On the other hand, data on tourism spending by Jordanians and residents during August 2026 showed an increase of 4.1%, reaching $204.8 million, while data for the first eight months of 2026 showed a decrease of 5.9%, reaching $1,359.0 million (about $1.36 billion).

Workers in the Tourism Sector

The number of workers in the tourism sector in Jordan reached 59,664 workers, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities as of early 2026.

The number of workers last year was nearly 60,068 workers.

According to the data, workers in tourist restaurants and hotels constitute the largest percentage of total employment, at 40.7% and 37%, respectively.

The number of workers in tourist restaurants was 24,294 workers, while the number of workers in hotels was 22,184 out of a total of 59,664 workers.

Regarding the percentage of males to females in total employment in the tourism sector, the data shows that males account for the largest number of 51,015, representing 85.5%, while the number of females is 8,649, representing 14.5%.

The data also indicated that the number of workers in the tourism sector is distributed across 3,883 establishments, including restaurants, hotels, tourism and travel offices, car rental, and others.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that World Tourism Day is an occasion to celebrate the many ways in which tourism contributes to connecting cultures and enriching people's lives.

Guterres pointed out that on the occasion of this year's celebration, the question is raised about the kind of future we seek for tourism, noting that the theme of "The Role of the Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence in Redesigning Tourism" embodies one of the prominent transformations of our era.

He continued: "Artificial intelligence technology is radically changing the way people choose the places they visit when traveling, as well as the ways this sector works and how travel experiences are designed. It can contribute to enhancing small businesses, improving services, and creating new opportunities. However, if not regulated, it may lead tourists to head to the same few places and platforms they visit, leaving behind many worthy destinations"

Guterres called for technology to be in the service of humanity, noting the need for tourism sector workers, local communities, and emerging tourism destinations to shape the future of this sector, which requires investing in digital skills, expanding access to technology, and ensuring that the benefits of innovation benefit the people and areas that make tourism possible.