Arabic version: تراجع السياحة في البتراء بسبب الصراع الأمريكي الإسرائيلي في إيران

Tourism in Jordan’s ancient city of Petra has drastically fallen since the onset of the US-Israel war on Iran in late February. According to Al Jazeera, the once-bustling site is now nearly deserted, with foreign visitors nearly absent.

Ukrainian tourist Ruslana Novak, who visited Petra with a friend, noted the stark difference from previous visits. She acknowledged the war but felt safe in Jordan, which she described as calm and beautiful. Meanwhile, local vendors and tour guides are struggling to cope with the drop in tourist numbers.

Khalid al-Saidat, a souvenir seller, highlighted the severe impact of the conflict, stating that the war in Gaza led to an 80 to 90 percent drop in tourism, while the Iran conflict has reduced visitors to almost zero. With tourism accounting for 14 percent of Jordan’s GDP and employing around 60,000 people, the situation poses a significant threat to the local economy.

The tourism authority reported a sharp decline in visitor numbers, with only 28,000 to 30,000 tourists visiting Petra in March and April, down from 112,000 in the first two months of the year. Cancellations have been rampant, causing some hotels to consider closing their doors.

Authorities have attempted to promote domestic tourism, but the response has been negligible. Local vendors like Ibrahim al-Atmeh expressed disappointment over the lost spring season, emphasizing the dire situation faced by those reliant on tourism for their livelihoods.