The number of visitors to Jordan’s Petra historical and archeological site contracted by 30 per cent between January and May this year, compared with the same period last year.

Mohammed Nawafleh, chief commissioner of the Petra Development & Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA), was quoted by local press last month as saying the drop in the number of visitors is attributed to cyclical seasonality as well as the political insecurity engulfing the region.

The Unesco world heritage site is located more than 230 kilometres south of the capital city Amman, away from the Syrian border and closer to the border with Saudi Arabia. However, the growing insecurity in the Middle East in general is likely to have become a key factor in many tourists’ decision to bypass Jordan as a holiday destination during the first five months of 2015.

In anticipation of the potential backlash of growing insecurity in the region to its tourism sector, in May, the Jordanian cabinet approved amendments to the PDTRA law, which effectively increased incentives for investors to come into the region.

The incentives for investors in the amended PDTRA law include:

• A total 5 per cent corporate income tax rate
• Exemption from sales tax and customs duties
• Full ownership without the need for a Jordanian partner

These incentives have allowed the PDTRA to achieve a similar status as the other special economic zones in Jordan, such as the Dead Sea and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone.

As a result of the amended law, Nawafleh disclosed to local press that the authority is now in early discussions with a French investor for the construction of what could potentially be a new megaproject in Petra. He also expressed optimism that the number of visitors will pick up starting in September.