Jordan Plans to Prohibit Tourists Continuing to Israel on Same Day as Arrival

Tourist officials in Jordan have informed the organizers of incoming tourism to Israel of the Jordanian government’s intention to ban tourists crossing from Jordan to Israel on the same day as their arrival in Jordan.

Israel and Jordan have had official diplomatic relations since the signing of the Israel-Jordan peace treaty in 1994. Recently, however, relations have been slightly strained. However, this has not proven to be exceptionally damaging to the relationship between the two countries.

The Incoming Tourism Bureau appealed to Tourism Minister Yariv Levin to clarify Jordan’s intent and noted in their letter to the minister the potential damage this could cause to the tourism economy in Israel.

The Amman airport serves as an important gate to Israel and beyond. Many tourists travel with Emirates Airline to Amman and continue on to Israel. If this plan becomes law, the Bureau estimates that more than sixty thousand tourists could be affected.

The Tourism Minister said he will act vigorously on the issue.

CEO of the Incoming Tourism Bureau Yossi Fattal said that if the Jordanian government plans to impose restrictions on tourists traveling to Israel in order to maximize their profits, Israel could also act similarly and will advise the Jordanian government that similar tolls will be collected from tourists who wish to travel from Israel to Jordan.