Jordan's Tourism Revenues Stabilized in Past 2 Years

Jordan's revenues of tourism have come to stabilize in past two years despite regional turmoil, reaching a major JOD2.871 billion in 2016, Jordan's Minister of Tourism Lina Ennab said. 
The minister told a press conference that the tourism sector is on the "right path", and will see major developments in 2017, state news agency (Petra) reported. 
Ennab further indicated that the number of overnight tourists picked up by 2.6% in 2016 while the number of overnight tourist groups jumped by 19.9%. 
She also noted that 70 tourism projects were completed in 2016 at a total value of 12 million. 
Around 60,000 people work in the tourism sector in addition to 120,000 others in related sectors. Regarding investments in the sector, 70 projects valued at JD12 million were finalized in 2016, with many of them investing in capacity building for young Jordanians, according to Annab. 
There are currently 566 hotels in all classifications in the Kingdom, with some 28,000 rooms. Annab said the figures are low, and hotels are mostly centered in Amman. To address this issue, the ministry in 2016 issued licenses to 24 hospitality facilities (including hotels, hotel apartments, tourist camps and environmental camps), and initial approvals for 97 other hotel facilities.