American tourism in Jordan back on track ut slowly [Archives:2008/1128/Last Page]

The political turmoil that has gripped the Middle East for the past few years has driven away Western tourists from Jordan but slowly they have started to comeback The Media Line's Mohammad Ben Hussein reports.

Blond American tourists were common visitors to bustling downtown Amman, wearing the traditional Middle Eastern kefiyahs, as they combed the market looking for souvenirs.

The centre of the capital Amman was once a Mecca for tourists, who were often seen on the congested streets, draped with their flashy cameras, visiting the Roman amphitheatre in the heart of the capital, and enjoying the flavor of their Middle-Eastern experience after trips to Petra and the Dead Sea.

But the political turmoil that has gripped the Middle East for the past few years has driven away Western tourists.

Americans in particular are now as rare a commodity as peace and stability in the neighbouring countries of Iraq, the Palestinian areas, Israel, and Lebanon.

Haidar Ziadat, director of the Jordan Travel and Tour Agencies Association says security warnings issued by American authorities to its citizens around the world has had a profound impact on the number of U.S. and Western tourists visiting Jordan.

“We consider American tourism as the most important in terms of spending. We hope it will increase if the American president succeeds in making peace. This will encourage many to come