Jordan Daily -The Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts has begun preparing a development plan for its 41st edition after its latest event drew around 200,000 visitors and recorded significant growth in ticket sales and revenue, organisers said on Sunday.
The 40th edition featured 401 cultural and artistic events involving about 7,000 participants across venues in and outside the ancient archaeological site, despite challenging regional conditions, the festival administration said.
Participants from 30 countries took part in more than 80 international activities, underscoring the festival's growing cultural and artistic profile.
Ticket sales rose to about 21,100 compared with 6,500 in the previous edition, an increase of 225%, while ticket revenue climbed 179% to JOD 421,000, from 151,000 dinars.
The festival also created temporary jobs for 1,698 people from Jerash governorate before and during the event, including 250 women, compared with 977 jobs during the 39th edition.
Organisers said the development plan for the next edition would include a comprehensive review of the latest festival, assessing staffing needs, budget requirements and areas for improvement.
The 40th edition also expanded infrastructure and visitor services, increasing the number of main stages to six from five, including the 3,000-seat Hippodrome theatre.
Transport services were expanded, benefiting 1,452 passengers, while the number of sanitary facilities was increased to 124 from 84.
The plan aims to further improve the visitor experience and strengthen Jordan and the Jerash Festival as regional and international cultural and tourism destinations.
