Government to cover interest on tourism sector to ease impact of regional unrest

By :JD

Jordan Daily – Government will cover interest on new loans issued to tourism agencies and hotels — excluding five-star establishments — in a bid to support the sector hit hard by regional instability, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Lina Annab said on Saturday.

The decision, approved by the Cabinet and chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, aims to ease financial pressures following a wave of summer booking cancellations. The loans, issued by local banks under Central Bank of Jordan’s financing program, must be used exclusively for employee wages or social security contributions.

Annab said the move will help small and medium-sized businesses remain operational and retain their workforce, contributing to job stability and preserving skilled labor in the tourism sector — a key pillar of the national economy and a major source of employment, especially in local communities.

Eligible businesses can benefit from the program until the end of September. The loans are to be repaid within 24 months, including a six-month grace period.

The initiative is part of a broader government support framework aimed at helping the tourism sector recover and sustain financial stability amid ongoing regional turmoil.