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    Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

    Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

    Egypt secures $66 mln from EU, AFD to expand wheat storage

    Egypt secures $66 mln from EU, AFD to expand wheat storage

    Agreements signed to establish 4 food factories in Jordan

    Agreements signed to establish 4 food factories in Jordan

    Morocco set to launch potash project: report

    Morocco set to launch potash project: report

    Food Africa and pacprocess MEA to launch in December with an even larger area

    Food Africa and pacprocess MEA to launch in December with an even larger area

    Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

    Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

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      Number of BIA passengers up by 26.90% annually YTD APRIL 2023

      Number of BIA passengers up by 26.90% annually YTD APRIL 2023

      Qatar’s non-oil sector achieved 9.9% growth in Q4 2022: Prime Minister

      Qatar’s non-oil sector achieved 9.9% growth in Q4 2022: Prime Minister

      International investors keen on entering Saudi market, says minister

      International investors keen on entering Saudi market, says minister

      Egypt aims to enhance contribution of IT sector to GDP: Talaat

      Egypt aims to enhance contribution of IT sector to GDP: Talaat

      Saudi airports witness 42% rise in passengers in first 4 months of 2023

      Saudi airports witness 42% rise in passengers in first 4 months of 2023

      Oman’s annual inflation rate eases to 1.1% in April, lowest since March 2021

      Oman’s annual inflation rate eases to 1.1% in April, lowest since March 2021

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      Oman gears up for its first smart city

      Oman gears up for its first smart city

      Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

      Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

      Value of Saudi construction contracts jump 35% to $51.3bn: report

      Value of Saudi construction contracts jump 35% to $51.3bn: report

      Qatar to implement new strategies for real estate development

      Qatar to implement new strategies for real estate development

      Real Estate Development Fund deposits $248m in Sakani accounts to boost Saudi housing goals

      Real Estate Development Fund deposits $248m in Sakani accounts to boost Saudi housing goals

      Sharjah records 21,486 real estate transactions worth Dh5.9 billion in Q1 2023

      Sharjah records 21,486 real estate transactions worth Dh5.9 billion in Q1 2023

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        Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

        Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

        Egypt invests $64mln in electricity network development in South Sinai since July 2014

        Egypt invests $64mln in electricity network development in South Sinai since July 2014

        First accredited low-carbon ammonia shipment dispatched from Saudi Arabia to Japan

        First accredited low-carbon ammonia shipment dispatched from Saudi Arabia to Japan

        Oman’s refinery products output jumps by 44%

        Oman’s refinery products output jumps by 44%

        Iraq agrees to 30% stake in TotalEnergies $27bln energy project

        Iraq agrees to 30% stake in TotalEnergies $27bln energy project

        Oman signs $20bn hydrogen deals

        Oman signs $20bn hydrogen deals

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        • Hospitality
          Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

          Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

          Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

          Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

          Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

          Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

          Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

          Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

          Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

          Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

          Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

          Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

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        • Agrofood
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          • Agriculture
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          Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

          Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

          Egypt secures $66 mln from EU, AFD to expand wheat storage

          Egypt secures $66 mln from EU, AFD to expand wheat storage

          Agreements signed to establish 4 food factories in Jordan

          Agreements signed to establish 4 food factories in Jordan

          Morocco set to launch potash project: report

          Morocco set to launch potash project: report

          Food Africa and pacprocess MEA to launch in December with an even larger area

          Food Africa and pacprocess MEA to launch in December with an even larger area

          Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

          Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

          Trending Tags

          • Business & Economy
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            • Business
            • Economy
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            • Industry
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            • Transport & Logistics
            Number of BIA passengers up by 26.90% annually YTD APRIL 2023

            Number of BIA passengers up by 26.90% annually YTD APRIL 2023

            Qatar’s non-oil sector achieved 9.9% growth in Q4 2022: Prime Minister

            Qatar’s non-oil sector achieved 9.9% growth in Q4 2022: Prime Minister

            International investors keen on entering Saudi market, says minister

            International investors keen on entering Saudi market, says minister

            Egypt aims to enhance contribution of IT sector to GDP: Talaat

            Egypt aims to enhance contribution of IT sector to GDP: Talaat

            Saudi airports witness 42% rise in passengers in first 4 months of 2023

            Saudi airports witness 42% rise in passengers in first 4 months of 2023

            Oman’s annual inflation rate eases to 1.1% in April, lowest since March 2021

            Oman’s annual inflation rate eases to 1.1% in April, lowest since March 2021

            Trending Tags

            • CES 2017
            • Election Results
            • eSports
          • Construction
            • All
            • Infrastructure
            • Real Estate
            Oman gears up for its first smart city

            Oman gears up for its first smart city

            Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

            Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

            Value of Saudi construction contracts jump 35% to $51.3bn: report

            Value of Saudi construction contracts jump 35% to $51.3bn: report

            Qatar to implement new strategies for real estate development

            Qatar to implement new strategies for real estate development

            Real Estate Development Fund deposits $248m in Sakani accounts to boost Saudi housing goals

            Real Estate Development Fund deposits $248m in Sakani accounts to boost Saudi housing goals

            Sharjah records 21,486 real estate transactions worth Dh5.9 billion in Q1 2023

            Sharjah records 21,486 real estate transactions worth Dh5.9 billion in Q1 2023

            Trending Tags

            • Energy
              • All
              • Oil & Gas
              • Power & Electricity
              • Renewable Energy
              Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

              Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

              Egypt invests $64mln in electricity network development in South Sinai since July 2014

              Egypt invests $64mln in electricity network development in South Sinai since July 2014

              First accredited low-carbon ammonia shipment dispatched from Saudi Arabia to Japan

              First accredited low-carbon ammonia shipment dispatched from Saudi Arabia to Japan

              Oman’s refinery products output jumps by 44%

              Oman’s refinery products output jumps by 44%

              Iraq agrees to 30% stake in TotalEnergies $27bln energy project

              Iraq agrees to 30% stake in TotalEnergies $27bln energy project

              Oman signs $20bn hydrogen deals

              Oman signs $20bn hydrogen deals

              Trending Tags

              • Hospitality
                Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

                Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

                Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

                Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

                Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

                Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

                Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

                Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

                Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

                Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

                Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

                Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

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              Diversification efforts see Jordan’s tourism numbers grow

              Oxford Business Group

              June 10, 2014
              in Economy, Hospitality
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              Counting on a revival in the tourism sector to help restore vigorous economic growth, Jordan is also looking to promising official data for the first quarter of the year.
              Statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MTA) show that from January to March 2014, the kingdom attracted 3.1% more individual tourists and 4.7% more group arrivals than over the same period last year. More importantly, tourism revenues for the quarter improved by more than 11% on corresponding figures for 2013, rising to just over $1bn.
               
              The numbers are contributing to a widespread sense that, following years of constrained growth, Jordan’s tourism sector has regained momentum. At 10-12% of GDP, the tourism sector is already one of the kingdom’s most important sources of both employment and foreign currency, and analysts see potential for this to expand in the near future. Observers also point to May’s visit by Pope Francis, which is expected to generate both an instant upsurge in tourism and greater international awareness of the kingdom’s various attractions.
               
              In part, the recovery has been a natural result of changing conditions and perceptions. The global economy, is slowly putting the 2008-09 financial crisis behind it, putting more disposable income in the hands of consumers. Political protests in Jordan have been markedly less disruptive than that elsewhere in the region since 2011. Indeed, even these protests have dwindled in size and intensity, so concerns about domestic stability have receded. Tourists remain wary of the war in neighboring Syria, but despite the challenges of hosting some 600,000 refugees, the kingdom has managed to contain the situation, thanks in part to assistance from friendly governments and multilateral institutions.
               
              “Brand Jordan”
              For enthusiasts of “Brand Jordan”, the more important reasons for growth stem from a concerted effort to increase the competitiveness of the kingdom’s tourism industry across the board, most notably in terms of adaptability. The goal is no longer merely to reduce the negative impact of exogenous shocks, but even, on some levels, to profit from them.
              New impetus has been applied to increasingly prominent sub-sectors like medical and religious tourism, to diversifying the geographical sources of leisure travel to Jordan and to tapping growing niche markets like conferences, exhibitions, yoga, adventure and ecotourism. By diversifying the kinds of tourists who visit Jordan, the reasons for which they come and the places from which they arrive, the industry has been better equipped to absorb disruptions in particular categories – and to attract travellers scared off by instability in places like Egypt and Lebanon.
               
              The Dead Sea has long been a cornerstone of the kingdom’s hospitality industry, with its striking landscapes and sandy beaches complemented by religious holy sites. The appeal of its reputed healing properties was demonstrated by the launch in early May of the first Dead Sea Mud Festival, which aims to further raise the profile of local health and wellness products.

              These traditional approaches are now being combined with newer offerings and attitudes aimed at broadening the appeal of the region. In late April, for example, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour laid the cornerstone for “the Porto”, a new complex that will include hotels and spas, as well as dedicated shopping, dining and entertainment neighborhoods, and on-site health facilities designed to attract medical tourists. Of 24 swimming pools planned for the development, four are to be reserved for women, signaling an intention to cater to the conservative social mores of travellers from key target markets in the Gulf.
               
              Further afield
              The industry has also been successful in using a variety of tactics to attract more visitors from further afield. The MTA statistics indicate that the numbers of visitors from several Asian countries rose significantly compared to last year, including Pakistan (64.2%), Bangladesh (48.8%), Malaysia (42.2%) and India (13.5%).
               
              Efforts to achieve similar results with tourists from Africa are now under way, with special emphasis on the marketing of Jordan’s numerous Christian and Muslim holy sites to travellers from Nigeria and other high-potential markets. Steps have included expanding the route network of the national airline, Royal Jordanian (RJ), reducing visa-processing times and inducements for pilgrims bound for either the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia. Implementation of the plan has not been without its setbacks in Africa – RJ halted its service to Accra, Ghana, in early May after less than a year – but with its population of more than 170m expected to surpass that of the US by 2050, Nigeria remains too important a prize to ignore.

              The papal visit highlighted some of the cultural and archaeological assets for which Jordan is already renowned in Europe and North America, including the spot where many believe Jesus was baptized. The kingdom is increasingly keen, however, to also promote Islamic holy sites on its territory, including the tombs of the Prophet Muhammad’s companions.
               
              Diversification strategy
              The diversification strategy also includes a long-term component, owing to the assumption that while trekkers and other younger travellers engaged in activities such as ecotourism and “volun-tourism” may not be big spenders, positive experiences will encourage them to return in the future with spouses and children. Resurgent tourism will also have spin-off benefits for other sectors, not least for construction, another sector touted by analysts as a primary source of growth in the coming years.
               
              Perhaps no area has more potential than medical tourism, a global industry estimated to be worth more than $50bn per annum. In March the country was named Destination of the Year by the UK-based International Medical Travel Journal, citing an influx in 2012 of some 250,000 patients accompanied by 500,000 friends or relatives, generating more than $1bn in revenues. The Private Hospitals Association was credited in particular with developing and implementing a cutting-edge strategy to make Jordan the region’s leading medical tourism destination, and to promote it as such abroad.
              Oxford Business Group
              10 June

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