Last year marked another successful year for Jordanian tourism, with UK visitor numbers rising by seven per cent, compared to 2015, with Britain remaining the largest European source market for the Hashemite Kingdom.
The launch of the ExtraJORDANary campaign, in spring 2016, contributed to the positive arrival figures as travellers where able to book holidays through several new tour operators.
Last year also saw Jordan celebrate the centenary anniversary of Lawrence of Arabia and the discovery of a new ancient tomb in Beit Ras.
This year promises to be just as exciting for travellers with a new 650 kilometre walking route, the Jordan Trail, launching spring 2017 that will connect the length of the country from Um Qais in the north to Aqaba in the south.
The trail allows visitors to hike the whole of Jordan, stopping at iconic spots including Petra, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum, as well as primarily unseen areas along the wayAs well as the reopening of Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, established in 1975 by the Royal Society for the conservation of Nature as a breeding centre for endangered or locally extinct wildlife.
It will reopen following a renovation as a breeding programme for some of the world’s leading wildlife parks and zoos.
It is a 22 kilometre squared reserve offering a thriving protected environment for some of the Middle East’s rarest species.
A host of new hotels are also planned to launch in 2017 including, the five-star Century Hotel Dead Sea Jordan, W Amman Hotel, Fairmont Hotel, The St. Regis Amman, Hyatt Regency, Al Manara and Jumeirah at Saraya Aqaba.