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Jordan’s flagship archaeological attraction, Petra, has recorded its highest number of visitors in a single day since 2023, underlining renewed momentum in the kingdom’s tourism sector following the combined disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic and regional instability.
According to Jordan’s official news agency, Petra welcomed 3,986 visitors on December 30, marking the strongest daily performance in nearly two years. The figures reflect growing international confidence in Jordan as a safe and compelling travel destination.
Data from the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) shows that international tourists accounted for the vast majority of visitors on the day, with 3,723 foreign travelers, alongside 139 Arab visitors, 45 local residents, and 79 Jordanians.
Italy emerged as the leading source market, sending 736 visitors, followed by Russia, Spain, the United States, and France—highlighting Petra’s broad global appeal and the return of long-haul travel demand.
During the first ten months of 2025, Petra received 453,311 visitors, nearing the 457,215 visitors recorded throughout all of 2024, though still below the more than 1.1 million visitors welcomed in 2023. Authorities noted a noticeable rise in arrivals during April, September, and October, outperforming the same periods last year.
PDTRA Chief Commissioner Fares Al-Braizat attributed the recent upswing to easing regional tensions, targeted government promotion campaigns, and improved coordination with security authorities to facilitate visitor access and safety.
Petra’s tourism sector suffered a sharp downturn following the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in late 2023. Visitor numbers fell from 121,420 in October 2023 to 54,349 in November, before dropping further to 30,485 in December.
Looking ahead, the PDTRA expects visitor numbers to rise in 2026, driven by renewed interest from international tour operators and large organized travel groups. As part of a broader strategy, the authority is diversifying on-site services to better accommodate families, aiming to strengthen both domestic and international family tourism.
In support of these efforts, Al-Braizat met with U.S. Ambassador to Jordan Jim Holtsnider in Petra last month to explore potential cooperation on tourism development and heritage preservation.
Jordan’s tourism sector has shown resilience over the past decade. The country welcomed more than 5.3 million tourists in 2019, generating $5.8 billion in revenue, before suffering a 77% drop in arrivals in 2020 due to the pandemic.
While recovery began in 2021, Jordan only surpassed pre-pandemic levels in 2023, when 6.35 million tourists visited the country. However, renewed regional tensions led to a 2.3% year-on-year decline in 2024, with arrivals falling to 5.1 million.
Despite these challenges, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities remains optimistic. The government reported a 13% increase in tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, signaling a gradual but steady rebound.
For Petra—Jordan’s most iconic destination—the latest visitor milestone reinforces its enduring global appeal and its central role in the country’s tourism recovery narrative.