(ANSAmed) - AMMAN, FEBRUARY 19 - The number of European
tourists to Jordan has dropped by 12.5 percent in 2013, compared
to 2012, official figures showed today.
A total of 672,000 Europeans visited Jordan last year, which represents a setback to the local tourism sector, a main source of national income.
Persistent regional turmoil, conflict and the economic crisis hitting the continent have contributed to the drop, according to Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, director general of the Jordan Tourism Board.
According to UN World Tourism Organisation, 80 percent of European tourists preferred to remain within the European zone to reduce spending, while 20 per cent travelled to other continents.
Visitors from the Arab region were the highest, amounting to more than three million, with Saudis coming first, Arabiyat was quoted by the Jordan Times.
Overall number of visitors dropped by 14 percent; including brief visitors who travel from neighbouring countries to see Petra, the major attraction that the kingdom has to offer.(ANSAmed).
A total of 672,000 Europeans visited Jordan last year, which represents a setback to the local tourism sector, a main source of national income.
Persistent regional turmoil, conflict and the economic crisis hitting the continent have contributed to the drop, according to Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, director general of the Jordan Tourism Board.
According to UN World Tourism Organisation, 80 percent of European tourists preferred to remain within the European zone to reduce spending, while 20 per cent travelled to other continents.
Visitors from the Arab region were the highest, amounting to more than three million, with Saudis coming first, Arabiyat was quoted by the Jordan Times.
Overall number of visitors dropped by 14 percent; including brief visitors who travel from neighbouring countries to see Petra, the major attraction that the kingdom has to offer.(ANSAmed).
