Visitors to Petra fell 30% in the first three months of 2009 compared to the same period last year according to official figures. Between January and March 2009 about 140,000 tourists visited Petra compared to 200,000 visitors for the same period last year. Petra reserve figures show entry fees generated JD2.7 million during this period.
A Petra Hotels representative, Hussein Hilalat, attributed the decreased number of visitors to the global financial crisis and expects the numbers this month to be low. Mr. Hilalat noted about 1/3 of the visitors in the first three months were passengers on cruise ships and spent only one day in Petra so did not use facilities. He noted the occupancy rate is currently 100% because of Easter and was hopeful things would improve.
