- © AFP/File Menahem Kahana
AMMAN (AFP) - Jordan's tourism revenues soared more than 30 percent in the first quarter of 2010, generating around one billion dollars, an official said on Monday.
"Tourism revenues were estimated at 700 million dinars (one billion dollars) in the first quarter of 2010, a 31.3-percent increase compared to the same period last year," Jordan Tourism Board director Nayef Fayez said.
Fayez told the state-run Petra news agency that the majority of tourists to Jordan were from Arab states such as Lebanon, Syria, the Gulf countries and Egypt.
"The tourism board is currently trying to focus on new markets like India, China and South America," he said.
Tourism and bank transfers from Jordanians working abroad are the top sources of hard currency earnings in the kingdom.
Jordan has dozens of tourist attractions, including the Nabatean pink-rock city of Petra, the ancient Roman town of Jerash, the Dead Sea which is the lowest point on earth, and the Red Sea resort of Aqaba.
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Jordan was awesome! It was a place that is a must to go!
the place was so good! good accomodation on inns, good foods, good people, and everything! everyhtinh was so good! I love staying at Jordan for a week
I had my vacation at Jordan. And i think my time with my family was not wasted. There were so many attractions and places that your whole family can go and bond with!
i wish i could go back to jordan sometime! my first visit was so enjoying!
hi there! i encourage everyone here in the page to visit jordan! wooohh! a lot of places to go with with your family and friends!
they have lots and lots of interesting cultures to share! so great! i bet you'll have fun and thave a thought of not to go back to your country when you see it.