A total of 73,127 local and foreign tourists visited the ancient city of Umm Qais in northern Bani Kinana district in Irbid governorate during the first 7 months of 2023, compared to 52,653 visitors during the same period last year. In a statement to “Petra” on Thursday, Director of Irbid Tourism, Masha’el Khasawneh, said Umm Qais tourist and archaeological sites recorded an increase in the visitor number during the January-July period 2023, opposed to 2022. Khasawneh noted the Kingdom’s tourism sector, which is rich with archaeological sites, is a tourist destination, especially since Jordan is viewed one of the “safest and most stable” countries, which makes it attractive to tourists. Umm Qais is “full” of tourist and archaeological attractions that draw visitor attention, as the site was chosen among the world’s best tourist villages in 2022, she pointed out. To further stimulate Umm Qais tourism, she pointed to role of Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Department of Antiquities (DoA), Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) , and other stakeholders to improve infrastructure and level of services provided to tourists, aimed to increase tourist stay. This tourist growth was driven by “Urdun Jannah” programme, which “remarkably” contributed to reviving domestic tourism movement by providing trips to the Kingdom’s various tourist destinations at affordable prices, she said, adding that cultural, poetic, artistic and theatrical events and festivals were held in this ancient city.

Source: Jordan News Agency