Sustainable Tourism Development in Jordan: The Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism Revenues and its Role in Unemployment Rates

Malek  Bader; Nermin  Khasawneh; Ramzi  Al Rousan; Hussein M. Hussein  Ibrahim

doi:10.35516/hum.v50i5.1416

Authors

Malek Bader Dept. of Sustainable Tourism, Queen Rania Faculty of Tourism and Heritage, the Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9269-4131
Nermin Khasawneh Dept. of Sustainable Tourism, Queen Rania Faculty of Tourism and Heritage, the Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0358-2427
Ramzi Al Rousan Dept. of Sustainable Tourism, Queen Rania Faculty of Tourism and Heritage, the Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0281-5794
Hussein M. Hussein Ibrahim Dept. of Tourism Management, School of Archaeology and Tourism, the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7355-7537

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/hum.v50i5.1416

Keywords:

COVID-19, tourism revenue, unemployment, Jordan

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine out the effect of COVID-19 on Jordanian tourism revenue and its role in unemployment.

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 300 workers in the tourism sectors such as restaurants; hotels; travel agencies; and handicraft shops, based in the cities of Amman, Jerash, Aqaba, and Petra. The data was analyzed using SPSS, which includes distribution of frequency, t-test, and analysis of factors.

Results: The results of the study showed that Covid-19 has contributed negatively impact in Jordanian tourism sector, increasing unemployment levels sharply and decreasing the sector`s revenues. The government`s measures to fight the pandemic were found to have a negative impact on the vitality of the tourism sector, especially the consequences of the various stages of lockdown that worsen the tourism sector`s ability to recover.

Conclusions: The study recommended the necessity of cooperation between the public and private sectors to find innovative and creative actions to stimulate the return of tourism revenues and employment in this sector.

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