Jordan, Petra and Madaba are navigating a difficult tourism environment in 2026 as regional conditions continue to affect international travel demand. Tourism revenues fell 5.3% in the first half of 2026 to US$3.5 billion, while the government has introduced support measures for tourism businesses and destinations. وكالة الانباء الاردنية
The current situation follows a sharp downturn at Petra in 2024. Official figures show that Petra received 457,215 visitors in 2024, down from 1.174 million in 2023. The decline was followed by a partial recovery in 2025, when total visits reached 582,550, an increase of 27%. وكالة الانباء الاردنية
Petra Remains Central to Jordan Tourism
Petra continues to sit at the centre of Jordan’s international tourism offering. The ancient Nabataean city is a major cultural attraction and an important source of tourism activity for surrounding communities.
The 2025 figures show that foreign visitors accounted for 373,752 of Petra’s 582,550 visitors, representing about 64% of the annual total. Foreign arrivals increased 45% from 2024, when the site recorded 257,284 international visitors. وكالة الانباء الاردنية
The monthly figures also showed stronger activity towards the end of 2025. Petra recorded 53,383 visitors in December, 95% more than in December 2024, according to the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority. وكالة الانباء الاردنية
Tourism Revenue Declines in 2026
Jordan’s wider tourism economy has continued to face pressure during the first half of 2026. Preliminary Central Bank data showed tourism revenues at US$3.5 billion between January and June, representing a 5.3% decline from the corresponding period. وكالة الانباء الاردنية
Revenue from American visitors declined 25.6%, while European visitor receipts fell 28.2%. Receipts from Asian visitors decreased 3.5%, while revenue from Arab visitors increased 6.5% during the period. وكالة الانباء الاردنية
Despite the revenue decline, Jordan received about 3.15 million visitors during the first half of 2026, according to the government’s Economic Modernization Vision progress report. Tourist sites recorded approximately 1.31 million visits during the same period. وكالة الانباء الاردنية
Government Support Targets Petra Businesses
The government has introduced a JD5 million support package for tourism businesses operating around Petra. The 11-measure programme is designed to support employment and reduce financial pressure on tourism establishments. وكالة الانباء الاردنية
Under the package, the government is covering 50% of social-security-eligible wages for nearly 900 local tourism employees and 35% for more than 500 workers at international hotels in the Petra area through the end of 2026. A further 280 suspended employees are eligible for six months of wage support. وكالة الانباء الاردنية
The measures also include a one-year deferral of loan instalments for local tourism establishments, with the government covering approximately JD2.27 million in accrued interest. وكالة الانباء الاردنية
New Tourism Programmes Target Longer Stays
Jordan is also working on tourism programmes designed to increase visitor stays and broaden the range of activities available to international and regional travellers.
The government has identified destinations requiring additional support and signed an agreement with Royal Jordanian covering more than 60 air routes. Work is also continuing on the Christian pilgrimage route, including documentation and surveys of sites along the route. وكالة الانباء الاردنية
For travellers, these measures connect established destinations such as Petra with religious, cultural and heritage tourism routes elsewhere in the country.
Travel Beyond Petra
A Jordan itinerary can extend beyond Petra to Amman, Madaba, Mount Nebo, Wadi Rum and Aqaba. Each destination provides a different tourism experience, ranging from urban heritage and religious sites to desert landscapes and Red Sea travel.
Madaba and Mount Nebo form part of Jordan’s religious and cultural tourism network, while Wadi Rum offers desert excursions and overnight stays. Aqaba provides access to the Red Sea and adds a coastal component to longer Jordan itineraries.
Travellers visiting Petra can also use nearby Wadi Musa as an accommodation base, with hotels, restaurants, guides and other tourism services supporting visits to the archaeological site.
Jordan Tourism Enters a Recovery Phase
Jordan’s tourism figures in 2026 show both continuing pressure and signs of recovery. Petra’s visitor numbers increased significantly in 2025, while foreign arrivals rose 45%, but national tourism revenues declined during the first half of 2026. وكالة الانباء الاردنية
Government measures are now focused on maintaining tourism businesses, protecting employment and improving destination readiness. With Petra at the centre of these efforts and wider programmes supporting religious, cultural and regional travel, Jordan’s tourism sector is adapting to a challenging period while continuing to develop its international visitor network.
