AMMAN — Jordan’s tourism revenues rose by some 12 per cent during the first half of 2025, reaching $3.68 billion, according to preliminary data released by the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) on Wednesday.

 

"The increase came despite a slight decline of 3.7 per cent in June, when monthly tourism income dropped to $619.2 million, largely due to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region," CBJ showed.

 

The data pointed to a "noticeable" recovery and diversification in tourism sources.

 

Revenues from Asian tourists recorded the highest growth at 42.9 per cent, followed by visitors from Europe at 35.6 per cent, the US at 25.8 per cent, Arab countries at 11.5 per cent, and other nationalities at 43 per cent.

 

Income generated by expatriate Jordanians declined slightly by 0.8 per cent.

 

Wisam Abu Laila, an economist specialising in tourism, told The Jordan Times that "the increase reflects Jordan’s resilience in sustaining its tourism appeal."

 

She explained that despite instability in neighbouring countries, Jordan has managed to maintain “steady” interest from key international markets.

 

The growth from Asia and Europe in particular signals the impact of targeted promotional campaigns, she pointed out.

 

The Kingdom also saw a rise in spending on outbound tourism. During the first half of the year, Jordanians spent a total of $999.7 million abroad, marking an increase of 3.3 per cent.

 

Outbound tourism expenditure in June dropped significantly by 22.7 per cent, reaching $195.6 million.

 

According to economic analyst Waseem Hussein, the drop in June reflects a wider regional uncertainty that affected local and international travel decisions.

 

She noted that the overall trend remains positive, with Jordan continuing to benefit from renewed interest in Middle Eastern destinations.

 

“While fluctuations from month to month are expected, especially in times of geopolitical uncertainty, and the latest decrease in the first half, results are encouraging. They suggest a level of stability and trust in Jordan’s tourism infrastructure,” Hussein said.

 

Experts also recommended continued investment in alternative tourism offerings such as eco-tourism, digital platforms and reinforcing traditional markets.