Abdelrazzak Arabiyat named among 10 Government Leaders in Tourism by Forbes
By : JD staff
Jordan Daily – Abdelrazzak Arabiyat, managing director of the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB), has been named one of the top 10 government leaders in tourism for 2025 by Forbes Middle East, the board said in a statement on Friday.
The recognition comes in acknowledgment of Arabiyat’s ongoing efforts to position Jordan as a prominent tourism destination both regionally and globally. Appointed to lead the JTB in 2004, Arabiyat has spearheaded several strategic initiatives aimed at driving growth in the kingdom’s tourism sector.
In June 2024, Arabiyat was elected chair of the Affiliate Member Executive Council at the UN World Tourism Organization, a move the JTB says reflects international confidence in his leadership and expertise.
Founded in 1998, the JTB operates as an independent public-private partnership. Under Arabiyat’s leadership, the board has launched a number of high-profile campaigns, including a 2024 collaboration with Royal Jordanian Airlines, supported by USAID, to boost inbound tourism.
In February 2025, the board reported a record 1.32 million visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in 2024—a 15% increase from the previous year. In April, it partnered with the South Korean television program *Great Guide 2* to further promote Jordan’s tourist attractions, Forbes said.
The board described Arabiyat’s recognition in the Forbes ranking as a testament to his significant contributions to developing Jordan’s tourism sector and raising the country’s profile on the global tourism map.
