Wadi Rum Bedouin Camps: Occupancy Rates Exceed 80%

The Kingdom of Jordan has seen a tourism boom in recent years, and the Wadi Rum desert region is no exception. The increase in the number of tourists arriving in the Kingdom has resulted in Wadi Rum’s camp occupancy rates exceeding 80%, according to Saleh Neimat, the Wadi Rum district director.

Neimat stated that over 300,000 tourists visited Wadi Rum since the beginning of the current year and the demand for traditional Bedouin camp experiences in the area is quite high. The camps offer a variety of tour packages, activities, and meals to cater to their guests. Neimat further added that efforts are ongoing to start new projects to improve services and enhance the development of tourism in the region.

Family-owned camps like those owned by Omar Bedwan have reportedly experienced a strong demand for the traditional Bedouin camp experience in Wadi Rum. Bedwan mentioned to The Jordan Times that most people visiting Wadi Rum come in groups and occupy several tents at once, therefore driving up the occupancy rates. The occupancy rate at their camp recently surpassed 60% in a week.

Co-Owner of another camp in the area, Ismail Hussein, said that Wadi Rum provides tourists with a budget-friendly desert experience. Prices in the area range from JD 15 to JD 100 per night, which is affordable for most tourists.

The Kingdom’s tourism sector has been rapidly developing in recent years, with a 90.7% increase in the number of visitors in the first quarter of 2023 from the previous year. With more visitors anticipated, Wadi Rum’s camp occupancy rates will likely continue to increase.

Credit: zawya.com

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