The Tourism Minister of Jordan, Makram Qaisi, Monday said the "tourism sector has begun to recover and grow at a high pace," noting that the revenue exceeded the pre-COVID period.

During the "Prospects for Investment Opportunities in the Tourism Sector" session, Qaisi described the tourism sector as an "engine" of economic growth in Jordan, adding that it contributes to 13 per cent of the country's GDP.

During the first third of 2023, almost 2 million people visited Jordan, an 87.2 per cent increase compared to the first third of 2022.

Qaisi explained that tourism directly employs over 55,000 people, of whom 85 per cent are Jordanians, saying that the country needs more workforce and capacity in the tourism sector, especially in the tourist attraction of Petra in the south of the country.

He talked about the investment opportunities in Jerash, the Golden Triangle, Ajloun and the Baptism Site and its surroundings.

Qaisi said that the new investment environment law gave tax incentives to investors in the tourism sector, especially in regions "less fortunate."

He added that the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquity is focused on religious tourism and promoting tourist sites by using artificial intelligence and linking cultural and archaeological cities.

Qaisi added that the ministry plans to visit several African countries to promote Christian pilgrimage sites in Jordan.

He added that through its strategy, the ministry seeks to establish a fund and a business incubator for young entrepreneurs at a value of JOD5 million.

The session was held on the sidelines of the fourth international conference for French-speaking business owners at the Dead Sea. It opened on Monday under "Jordan, the Land of Promising Opportunities for International Investors."

Organised by the Jordanian Businessmen Association in cooperation with a group of French-speaking businessmen, the conference saw the participation of 200 business owners, investors and economic experts.