34 Destinations
Amman, Jordan’s capital, is expected to soon become one of the Middle East’s three major business hubs alongside Dubai and Doha
JORDAN Jordan Tourism Board / ME5240
Home to one of the world’s most magical ancient cities, Jordan’s eclectic mix of modernity, culture and history makes for an impressive proposition. The kingdom enjoyed a sterling 2016 for
tourism, welcoming 6.4 million visitors, mark- ing a 33.5 percent increase on 2015 figures. According to the country’s Ministry of Tour-
ism and Antiquities, the Asia Pacific market saw the biggest leap in inbound travellers, up about 19.5 percent from the previous year. Europe, Africa and the Americas also rose
by six percent, five percent and three percent respectively – while the overall visitor spend for the year hit US$4 billion (JOD2.84 billion). The country has plenty to entice interna-
tional visitors, offering archaeological jewels and natural marvels. Jordan’s biggest draw of all is the ancient Nabatean Kingdom of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to the sprawling city, which is carved out of ancient rock, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Petra may also have even more to offer than first thought. Last year, scientists using satellite imagery discovered a huge 184-foot by 161-foot monument buried beneath its sands. Another unforgettable stop on a tour of
Jordan’s wonders is Wadi Rum desert, which translates from Arabic as ‘Valley of the Moon’. It’s a breathtaking expanse where rock climbing, 4x4 excursions and hot air ballooning are some of the popular ways to explore the extraordinary landscape. Alternatively, visitors can simply camp out beneath the stars and just appreci- ate the natural beauty. Crowning Jordan’s collection of natural
marvels are the Dead Sea and Red Sea, which are lined with luxury resorts for those looking to unwind in a spectacular setting. The Red Sea Astrarium, a sustainable US$1.5
billion (JOD1.06 billion) theme park in Aqaba, is set to open this year. The destination will offer rides, cultural experiences, four hotels, retail outlets and a man-made lagoon. Infrastructure is another key focus as the
A total of 465,000 tourists visited Petra in 2016, up almost 14 percent from 2015. The site’s name derives from the Greek word for ‘rock’
country looks for ways to efficiently handle its continued increase in visitor numbers. For instance, last year Queen Alia Interna-
tional Airport in Zizya, 30 kilometres south of Amman, received a record 7.41 million passen- gers - which is up 4.4 percent compared with 2015. In addition to this, the facility’s recently completed expansion project has increased its capacity to 12 million annual passengers.
Madaba Mosque
Al Khazneh, Petra
The Pearl Doha is a glamorous manmade island, where
many of the city’s super yachts are berthed. It is home to an ever-growing list of plush hotels and designer stores
QATAR Qatar Tourism Authority / ME2010
World-class shopping, dining and entertainment sit alongside stunning desert landscapes and important cultural sites, all adding to Qatar’s growing appeal. Discover more about this country of contrasts in its capital city Doha. Here, moder- nity meets the past along the Corniche where traditional-style dhow boats ferry visitors along the waterway, in the shade of futuristic business towers and five-star hotels. For those looking to make the most of the
city’s luxurious side, Doha is home to an impres- sive collection of shopping malls, while its dining scene has attracted a host of top international chefs and restaurant brands in recent years. For those seeking a cultural experience, the Museum of Islamic Art, situated on Doha Corniche, is one of the region’s most impor- tant cultural centres. Meanwhile, the soon to be completed National Museum of Qatar, a struc- ture of interconnected discs designed by award- winning architect Jean Nouvel, will tell the story of Qatar’s journey to urbanisation.
The world’s richest nation per capita is
attempting to grow its tourism numbers, increas- ing from 2.9 million in 2015 to 4 million by 2020 and 9 million by 2030. Central to that is Qatar’s successful 2022 FIFA World Cup bid. The country has therefore been ramping up its hotel infrastruc- ture – increasing supply by 30 percent between 2014 and 2016 to more than 20,700 rooms. A further 41 projects, comprising 11,722
rooms, are currently under construction in Doha. This year alone, 14 luxury hotels are slated to launch, including Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay, Pullman Doha West Bay, JW Marriott West Bay, Millennium Plaza Doha and Hilton Garden Inn Doha Al Sadd. To make visitor entry into the country run
even smoother, Qatar recently introduced visas on arrival for Indian, Chinese and Russian citi- zens – prompting a 30 percent increase in short stays. The nation now also offers a free four- day transit visa to visitors with a layover of five hours or more. Qatar Tourism Authority has also introduced
Doha’s 41 upcoming hotel projects make it the Middle East’s third busiest city for property construction, after Dubai (133) and Riyadh (47)
measures to simplify entry into the country for cruise ship passengers in a bid to capitalise on the recent growth in the Gulf’s cruise industry. Doha’s Hamad International Airport (HIA)
opened in 2014, and last year handled 37.3 million passengers. Meanwhile Qatar Airways connected the city to 14 new destinations last year. Plans are underway to expand HIA to allow capacity for 65 million passengers annually.
West Bay Central Financial District, Doha Souq Waqif Museum of Islamic Art, Doha
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
