Jordan sees a record 1.32 million overnight visitors from GCC in 2024

The Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) has reported that Jordan welcomed a record 1.32 million overnight visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations in 2024, marking a 15 per cent increase from the 1.15 million visitors in 2023.

The increase in the number of visitors was accompanied by a growth in the average length of stay, indicating that GCC travellers are spending more time exploring Jordan’s diverse attractions.

This trend was especially noticeable during the summer months and major holiday periods, with many visitors choosing to combine multiple destinations within their travel itineraries.

Key source markets for Jordan

According to a report published by WAM, the UAE’s state news agency, Saudi Arabia dominated the GCC market, accounting for the largest share of visitors with 1.158 million overnight arrivals in 2024. This represents a 17 per cent increase from 985,904 visitors in 2023. The summer months of July and August saw the highest levels of Saudi arrivals, with 156,400 visitors in July and 141,007 in August, showcasing a strong preference for Jordan as a summer travel destination.

The data also reveals a steady rise in the total number of GCC visitors during the summer months over the past three years. In July 2024, the number of visitors from the GCC reached 172,494, up from 146,474 in July 2023. In August, the number increased from 165,593 visitors in 2023 to 167,031 in 2024.

Kuwait remained the second-largest GCC source market, contributing 72,784 visitors in 2024.

The UAE also saw growth, with 18,378 visitors, an 11 per cent increase from the previous year. Qatar contributed 16,081 visitors, while Bahrain and Oman saw 34,309 and 22,716 visitors, respectively. Oman experienced a particularly strong growth rate of 12 per cent compared to the previous year, the report stated.

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