The annual International Hospitality Forum (IHF), Jordan`s premier event for the hospitality and foodservice sector…
The annual International Hospitality Forum (IHF), Jordan`s premier event for the hospitality and foodservice sector will take place between 28 – 30 September 2004 at Zara Expo Amman. Why Jordan was selected:
Economy
Jordan is one of the fastest growing economies in the Middle East achieving a growth rate of 5% in 2002 and 3.5% in 2003. It’s strategic location, liberal economic policies & initiatives, political stability, vibrant private sector and its integration in world economies through the WTO, FTA & other treaties are all contributing to Jordan’s prosperity and sustainable development. Jordan’s political stability and investment-friendly environment has helped increase the level of investment in many sectors including tourism. Massive investments in tourism, which contributes to 10% of Jordan’s GDP, are underway.
Hotels and Resorts
Large tourist schemes are being developed mainly at the Dead Sea area and in the tax-free economic zone of Aqaba. In Aqaba Jordanian and Arab investors have come together to develop major tourist projects. These include a $500m Tala Bay Project which features a marina, a golf course, 5,000 hotel rooms, housing units, commercial and entertainment centers and other facilities. On the north beach, a mega tourist project with a large man-made lagoon, 1,500 hotel beds, a marina and an 18-hole golf course is under development by OASIS. A 304-room Aqaba Inter-Continental Hotel is halfway through completion and Sun’n Fun is planning a $100 million tourist project, in addition to, numerous smaller hotel projects.
At least 10 resorts and villages are coming up at the Dead Sea. These include a 450-room tourist resort (Holiday Inn) and a tourist village (Cham Palace) for the Social Security Corporation; a 5-star 450-room hotel and chalets (Kempinski Ishtar); a $60-million tourist project with 250 rooms & 30 serviced apartments (Bellavista Overseas); a $110-million UAE investment (Lost City of the Dead Sea); a 5-star 250-room Egyptian investment; a 4-star Novotel hotel; an Aqua Park and other projects. Al-Andalus Company for Touristic Hotel and Investments announced plans to harbour a stable and cruising boats within its Regent Palace project.
While hotel development in Amman is nearly coming to an end, the Amman Hilton Hotel is expected to open in 2004. The Middle East Hotel is undergoing complete renovation and the facilities of Ammon hotel and college will be upgraded and re-branded – all offering additional opportunities for investors and suppliers.
Shopping Malls & Supermarkets
Tremendous activity in this area is taking place in Jordan. International supermarket chains (e.g. Carrefour) are planning their debut in Jordan through new shopping malls. Several local supermarket chains (e.g. C-Town, Haboub, Al Farid) are opening further outlets. The largest national supermarket chain Safeway was largely acquired by Sultan Centre of Kuwait who intend to add 14 Sultan Centres to the 7 existing branches in Jordan. Mecca Mall (60,000 m2) has opened in October 2003 following the success of its sister complex Abdoun Mall, while the 110,000 m2 City Mall project, due to open in a couple of years, will take Jordan by storm. A 33-storey shopping mall complex for local developer Baituna is under construction. Other commercial buildings and retail outlets are springing up across the Kingdom. Aqaba is seeing at least 4 new shopping malls with over 1,000 outlets prompted mainly by its tax-free status.
Urban Re-development
In the centre of Amman, a Master Plan for a major re-development project is being carefully planned to create the 2nd largest mix use urban regeneration project in the Middle East. The Abdali redevelopment project will accommodate a variety of facilities including restaurants, shops, office buildings, galleries, universities, residences as well as public plazas & gardens serviced by a state-of-the-art infrastructure.
Other Projects
Other areas of growth within the hospitality and tourism sectors in Jordan are also being generated by new projects such as bakeries, restaurants & patisseries, food courts, fast food restaurants, private catering companies, sports clubs, universities & colleges as well as hospitals. Several tourist sites in Jordan are being upgraded and redeveloped with the help of the World Bank, USAID and other donor agencies. Plans include a national museum, a panorama complex at the Dead Sea & others.
The leisure sector encompassing spas, sports club (e.g. Golden Sun Lake Resort), Jordan’s first aqua park Amman Wave, health clubs and gyms.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
