AGP Executive Report

Regional Travel Alert: A Houthi attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed 12 people, including a Jordanian, and injured 309, disrupting flights and suspending airport operations. Jordan condemned the strike; travelers connecting through Saudi Arabia should check directly with their airlines. UK guidance advises against all but essential travel to Riyadh, while Jordan remains considered safe to visit. Aqaba Culture: Queen Rania opened “Layered Becoming” at Ayla Oasis, an exhibition of more than 140 works by artists from Jordan and abroad. Tourism Cooperation: Jordan’s tourism minister called for joint Arab routes and easier travel between destinations to broaden visitor choices and strengthen the sector. Destination Care: More than 70 volunteers in the Northern Jordan Valley are tackling litter through a community initiative aimed at protecting the area’s environment and tourism appeal. Wadi Rum: Aqaba’s authority is planning a hot-air balloon festival program to add a new draw for visitors.

Arab Tourism: Jordan’s tourism minister called for joint regional routes and easier cross-border travel to attract more visitors, reduce seasonal dips and strengthen the sector against crises. Travel Update: UK guidance continues to consider Jordan safe to visit, despite a warning against non-essential travel to Riyadh; regional tensions are disrupting some flights, so check with airlines before travelling. Aqaba Culture: Queen Rania opened the “Layered Becoming” exhibition at Ayla Oasis, featuring more than 140 works by 10 Jordanian and international artists. Air Links: Air Arabia is set to launch Sharjah–Amman City Airport flights on November 15, adding a new connection for visitors. Market Development: Jordan is stepping up tourism infrastructure and promotion to attract Chinese visitors, while Madaba’s archaeological sites are being highlighted as a chance to turn the city from a stopover into a destination.

Travel Guidance: The UK Foreign Office says Jordan remains safe to visit, even as Houthi attacks disrupt Riyadh airport and regional tensions could escalate quickly. Check current advisories and flight updates before travelling. New Air Links: Air Arabia plans to launch Sharjah–Amman City Airport flights on Nov. 15, adding a direct option for UAE visitors. Aqaba Culture: Queen Rania opened “Layered Becoming” at Ayla Oasis on Oct. 8. The exhibition features more than 140 works by 10 Jordanian, regional and international artists. Tourism Push: Jordan is stepping up efforts to attract Chinese visitors, while Aqaba authorities are planning a hot-air-balloon festival in Wadi Rum. Tourism bodies in Jordan and Syria also agreed to pursue closer ties. Industry Recognition: Jordanian tourism leader Taleb Rifai received the WTTC Icon Award in Malta for his contribution to global tourism.

Travel Alerts: Regional tensions are disrupting travel plans. The US Embassy in Jordan urged Americans to monitor the security situation, while aviation authorities have flagged risks in Saudi airspace. Wizz Air has cancelled its Abu Dhabi and Dubai winter schedules; its planned Amman services are also affected by updated airspace guidance. New Connections: Air Arabia plans to launch four weekly Sharjah–Amman City Airport flights on November 15, adding another link between the UAE and Jordan. Tourism Development: Jordan is stepping up efforts to attract Chinese visitors and upgrade tourism infrastructure. Officials from Jordan and Syria also agreed to pursue closer tourism ties. Petra Spotlight: Andrea Bocelli’s November 27 concert is drawing boycott calls over his support for Israel, while organizers say the event will showcase Jordan internationally. Separately, Jordanian tourism leader Taleb Rifai received the WTTC Icon Award at its Malta summit.

Air Connectivity: Air Arabia will add four weekly flights between Sharjah and Amman City Airport from November 15, giving travellers a second Amman airport option alongside Queen Alia International Airport. Flight Disruptions: Wizz Air has scrapped its planned Abu Dhabi and Dubai winter services, while its Amman operations are also affected by an EU aviation safety advisory recommending airlines avoid Jordanian airspace; the carrier says it will keep reviewing conditions. Tourism Development: Jordan is stepping up efforts to attract Chinese visitors and improve tourism infrastructure, while tourism bodies in Jordan and Syria have agreed to pursue closer cooperation. Aqaba and Petra: Aqaba authorities are planning a hot-air balloon festival program in Wadi Rum. Separately, calls to boycott Andrea Bocelli’s November 27 Petra concert have put the event’s international profile and local sensitivities in focus. Heritage Travel: Madaba’s archaeological wealth is drawing attention as a chance to turn the city from a stopover into a destination.

Air Connectivity: Air Arabia will add four weekly flights between Sharjah and Amman City Airport from Nov. 15, giving the airline a second Amman destination alongside Queen Alia International Airport. Smoother Airport Travel: Electronic departure gates are now operating at Amman Civil Airport, with officials planning to expand digital services to speed up passenger procedures. Targeting Chinese Visitors: Jordan is stepping up efforts to attract tourists from China, alongside upgrades to tourism infrastructure. Visitor Attractions: Petra welcomed 44,000 visitors in September, while Aqaba’s authority is planning a hot-air balloon festival program in Wadi Rum. Industry Watch: Jordan’s hotel occupancy rates remain below expectations, underscoring the challenge of turning new connections and attractions into stronger demand.

Travel Access: Jordan has switched on e-gates for departing passengers at Amman Civil Airport, extending digital processing after its rollout at Queen Alia International Airport. Visitor Growth: The Kingdom is stepping up tourism infrastructure and promotion to attract more Chinese visitors, while Aqaba’s authority is planning a hot-air-balloon festival program in Wadi Rum. Destinations: Petra welcomed 44,000 visitors in September, and Madaba’s archaeological sites are being pitched as a reason to turn the city from a stopover into a destination. Tourism Partnerships: Jordanian and Syrian tourism bodies have agreed to pursue closer ties. Industry Watch: Jordan’s hotel occupancy rates remain below expectations, a reminder that attracting visitors is only part of the challenge.

Tourism Push to China: Jordan’s Tourism and Antiquities Minister Imad Hijazeen says the country is upgrading tourism infrastructure and services to attract more Chinese visitors, including Chinese-speaking guide training, Chinese road signs and info boards, and a Jordan Tourism Board China office plus a Chinese website. He also flagged plans for direct Amman–Beijing flights with Royal Jordanian and a Chinese New Year festival in Jordan in 2027. Aqaba Trade Resilience: Aqaba’s port operations are absorbing rising regional shipping pressure, with 32 specialized berths and six logistics zones; the container terminal handled about 680,000 TEUs in the first eight months of 2026, and transit containers to Iraq surged to around 37,000 TEUs (+930%). Jordan Economy Watch: The World Bank kept Jordan’s growth forecasts unchanged at 2.7% for 2026 and 2.9% for 2027, citing resilience despite war and energy/trade disruptions. Aviation & Travel Disruption (Regional): Reports on the flydubai FZ1073 cockpit incident highlight heightened aviation security concerns and emergency diversions, underscoring how quickly travel plans can change.

Jordan-China Tourism Push: Jordan is upgrading tourism infrastructure to attract more Chinese visitors, including Chinese-speaking guide training, Chinese road signs and info boards, and a Jordan Tourism Board China office plus a Chinese website; plans also include direct Amman–Beijing flights with Royal Jordanian and a Chinese New Year festival in 2027. Pilgrimage Route for Christians: Jordan’s Latin patriarchal vicar Bishop Iyad Twal says 2030 (2,000 years since Jesus’ baptism) should strengthen Jordan’s role on the Christian pilgrimage map, calling for a unified Holy Land pilgrimage route and warning that tourism investment must serve the spiritual experience. Jordan Economy Watch: The World Bank kept Jordan’s growth forecast at 2.7% for 2026 and 2.9% for 2027, citing resilience despite war fallout and weaker tourism revenues. Regional Security & Travel Caution: Israel’s national security council issued a global alert ahead of Oct. 7, urging Israelis and Jews to avoid high-risk destinations including Jordan and to avoid oversharing travel plans online. Aviation Shockwaves: Reports say Israel was prepared to shoot down a flydubai flight after a cockpit attack, with the aircraft diverted to Saudi Arabia and passengers later returned—another reminder of how quickly travel plans can change.

Jordan-China Tourism Push: Jordan’s Tourism and Antiquities Minister Imad Hijazeen says the country is upgrading infrastructure to attract more Chinese visitors, including Chinese-speaking guides, better service quality, and installing Chinese-language road signs and info boards; the Jordan Tourism Board is also expanding its China presence and website, with plans tied to King Abdullah II’s August China visit (including a possible direct Amman–Beijing flight and Chinese New Year events in 2027). Aqaba & Wadi Rum Adventure Calendar: Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority is preparing an integrated hot-air balloon festival program in Wadi Rum, pitching it as a boost for adventure and sports tourism, with balloon flights and parachute-style activities planned through regional and Jordanian partnerships. Petra Global Music Spotlight: Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform in Petra on Nov. 27, 2026, with organizers framing the concert as a major international cultural draw that spotlights Petra and Jordan’s wider heritage tourism. Aviation Security Shock (Regional Impact): Reports say Israel was prepared to shoot down flydubai Flight FZ1073 during a suspected cockpit attack, while passengers and crew helped stop the co-pilot and the plane landed in Saudi Arabia; the incident is also driving renewed scrutiny of aviation security and cockpit access across the region. Middle East Flight Disruptions: Airlines continue adjusting Middle East routes amid airspace risks and restrictions, with service suspensions and delays affecting travel patterns that could ripple into Jordan-bound tourism.

Aqaba & Wadi Rum Adventure Tourism: Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority is planning an integrated hot-air balloon festival program in Wadi Rum, positioning it as a boost for adventure and sports tourism with balloon flights and parachute jumps involving regional and international athletes. Major Cultural Tourism Push: Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli is set to perform in Petra on Nov 27, 2026, with organizers linking the concert to heritage and experiential tourism in Jordan. Tourism Industry Cooperation: Jordan’s inbound tourism and hotels associations met Syria’s tourism sector to move bilateral cooperation into concrete steps, including joint programmes, shared marketing as one destination, and faster visa/border procedures. Royal Education Spotlight: King Abdullah and Queen Rania visited a primary school in Aqaba for World Teachers’ Day, highlighting teacher training programmes tied to the Queen Rania Teacher Academy. Aviation Safety & Travel Context: A new book, “Aviation Safety in the World,” examines how safety systems and the human factor work together—timely as regional aviation scrutiny continues after the flydubai cockpit incident. Travel Finance for Tourists & Locals: Jordan Ahli Bank launched “Service Now, Pay Later,” covering travel among other essential services, with financing via its mobile app.

Aviation & Safety: Reports say the flydubai co-pilot accused in the Dubai–Tel Aviv cockpit attack planned to crash into Ben Gurion Airport, allegedly waiting until the aircraft was over Jordanian airspace before acting; passengers and off-duty pilots helped restrain him and the flight later landed safely after a steep plunge, while investigators continue to probe how he got onboard despite prior flying bans and extremist-linked concerns. Flight Disruptions: Dubai and Abu Dhabi saw delays and cancellations affecting multiple airlines, including flydubai services to Tel Aviv and other routes, as regional airspace restrictions and security fallout continue to ripple through schedules. Jordan Tourism Partnerships: Jordanian tourism bodies agreed with Syria’s tourism sector to push closer ties, including joint marketing as a combined destination, easier entry for Syrians, faster visa processing, and smoother border procedures. Domestic Tourism Push: Jordan’s Urdunna Jannah program has drawn 211,000+ participants since launch, with hundreds of local businesses involved and a target of 220,000 beneficiaries in 2026 to boost lesser-known destinations. Destination Readiness (Madaba): Madaba’s tourism stakeholders are calling for better visitor routing beyond the Mosaic Map, with clearer internal routes, improved access to heritage sites, and support to help tourists extend stays. Culture on the Calendar: The 38th European Film Festival in Jordan wrapped up after drawing 10,000+ visitors to the Royal Film Commission venue and screenings across multiple governorates, with Jordanian cinema highlighted in the closing night. Local Mobility (Dubai): Dubai’s RTA completed a road expansion in Al Mizhar 4, cutting journey times by 25%—a reminder that smoother access can matter for regional travel flows.

Aviation & Safety: UAE investigators say the Flydubai co-pilot accused in the Dubai–Tel Aviv cockpit attack tried to crash the plane after passengers intervened, including claims he may have cut engine fuel and pushed the controls into a steep dive before the aircraft was stabilized and landed in Saudi Arabia. Jordan Tourism Partnerships: Jordan’s inbound tourism and hotels associations met Syria’s tourism sector to push closer ties, joint marketing, easier entry and faster visas for Syrians, and smoother border procedures. Domestic Tourism Push: Urdunna Jannah says it has topped 211,000 participants since launch, with hundreds of tourism partners and plans to reach 220,000 beneficiaries in 2026. Tourism Demand Watch: Jordan Hotels Association reports hotel occupancy at 38% in September, urges the return of low-cost airlines, and notes Petra demand remains pressured since the Gaza war. Heritage & Routes: Madaba tourism stakeholders warn visitors often stop at the Mosaic Map and call for better internal routing to extend stays and spread spending. Culture on the Calendar: The 38th European Film Festival in Jordan wrapped up after drawing 10,000+ visitors to the Royal Film Commission venue and screenings across multiple governorates.

Aviation & Safety: New details keep emerging from the Flydubai FZ1073 cockpit attack, with reports saying the co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami told investigators he deliberately wanted to crash the plane and “was not afraid of death,” raising fresh questions about how he returned to the cockpit despite extremist concerns. Tourism Demand: Jordan hotel occupancy remains below target, averaging about 38% in September, as regional conditions and the Gaza war continue to weigh on visitor numbers; Petra demand has also softened. Heritage Routes: Madaba is being urged to move beyond the Madaba Mosaic Map and build a clearer internal visitor route so tourists stay longer and explore more of the city’s archaeological and Christian sites. National Census: Jordan’s 2026 General Population and Housing Census field enumeration begins today, with around 12,000 researchers visiting households across all governorates through October. Local Governance & Services: A Prime Ministry report says PM Jafar Hassan inspected 183 sites over two years, with follow-up interventions completed at 125 locations, including work tied to tourism sites.

Aviation & Safety: Flydubai’s Dubai–Tel Aviv flight FZ1073 diverted to Saudi Arabia after a cockpit attack, with UAE authorities calling it an attempted terrorist act; passengers and crew helped stop the co-pilot, and the captain Smit Machchhar survived injuries. Tourism Demand: Jordan Hotels Association head Hussein Hilalat says hotel occupancy is below target (38% in September), blaming regional conditions and noting Petra demand has softened since the Gaza war; he points to events and alternative markets like China and Japan. Tourism Infrastructure: A Prime Ministry report says Jordan’s PM field visits covered 183 sites in two years, with follow-up interventions at 125 and work underway at 58, including 19 tourism sites. Jordan Market Moves: Jordan targets Japan as a new tourism market, while Jordan boosts Gulf tourism partnerships and routes. Travel Disruption Watch: Amman faces traffic closures and diversions for the Amman Marathon. Regional Context: Petra welcomed 318,311 visitors in eight months, down 2.1%. Roadmap & Business: FREELANDER unveiled an international expansion roadmap starting from the UAE, with Middle East and North Africa first.

Hotel Demand Watch: Jordan Hotels Association chief Hussein Hilalat says September occupancy averaged just 38%, far below the 70–80% target, blaming regional conditions and noting Petra demand fell after the Gaza war began. He adds that March–May and September–November are peak periods, and hopes low-cost airlines return soon. Aviation Shock (Dubai–Tel Aviv): UAE prosecutors say the flydubai FZ1073 co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with a crash axe and tried to take control in a “terrorist act,” after which passengers and crew helped stop him and the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia. Timeline & Scrutiny: Reports detail emergency codes (7700/7500), a rapid plunge, and a diversion after the cockpit fight—sparking fresh questions about aviation security and pilot vetting. Repatriation Flight: With flydubai suspending Israel routes, the first special Israeli repatriation flight from Dubai landed in Tel Aviv early Saturday. Holy-Site Tensions: Palestinian authorities report 11,409 Israeli settlers stormed Al-Aqsa between Sept. 12 and Oct. 1, with incursions peaking during Sukkot. Jordan Economy Signal: Separate coverage says Jordan’s real GDP grew 3% in Q2 2026, driven by stronger productive sectors—an upbeat backdrop for tourism recovery. Petra Visitor Update: PDTRA reports Petra welcomed 318,311 visitors in the first eight months of 2026 (down 2.1%).