Ukrainian tourist Ruslana Novak, accompanied by a friend, experienced the ancient city of Petra in Jordan with minimal crowds, as the site has been largely deserted due to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran. Novak expressed her awareness of war’s impacts, stating that, although surrounded by conflict, Jordan remains a calm and safe destination. The tourism sector in Jordan has seen a drastic decline, with reports indicating an 80 to 90 percent decrease in foreign visitors due to the ongoing war in Gaza and the Iran conflict, leading to financial struggles for local businesses. Tourism, which represents 14 percent of Jordan’s GDP and employs around 360,000 people, has been severely affected, with a notable drop in visitor numbers to Petra from approximately 112,000 in early months to only 28,000 to 30,000 in March and April. Efforts to promote domestic tourism have yielded minimal results, and some local businesses, including hotels and souvenir stores, face the possibility of closure amid widespread cancellations and an uncertain future.
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Hashtags: #USIsrael #war #Iran #leaves #Jordans #Petra #empty #tourists
