Jordan (MNN) – Economic fallout from war in Iran has country-specific ramifications across the Middle East. Samuel with Redemptive Stories says in Jordan, war’s chief byproduct is a significant drop in tourism. Without a peace agreement in Iran, safety concerns persist, returning tourism levels in that country to something like those during a COVID slump several years back.
“We’re back in that doldrum where you have places that are supposed to have thousands of visitors daily – amazing places like Petra and Wadi Rum – which have very few tourists coming; and so that is having a deep effect on a massive swath of the population of Jordan,” Samuel says.
The dearth hits acutely for more than 300,000 Jordanians whose livelihood is directly tied to tourism, the traffic of which is facilitated primarily by budget airlines.
“As soon as action happens in our part of the world, those budget airlines shut off and don’t travel,” Samuel points out. “So a part of it is also just trying to communicate that the region is safe again.”
Until the situation cools, a diminished tourism sector will have ripple effects throughout society. In the church’s case, believers will have to grapple with fewer formal outreach opportunities.
Still, there is a hopeful side of war and its consequences.
“It creates opportunity for more spiritual dependency, and an opportunity in the moment to engage families that are suffering and struggling that maybe weren’t before,” Samuel says.
In addition to encouraging tourism to Jordan, Samuel calls for people to be the hands and feet of Jesus through partnerships with organizations like Impact Middle East, CRU, and many others serving in the area.
“One of the deep prayers that I have for Jordan is that the church would be a light in the midst of this dark time, and that they would have wisdom, resources, and courage to show up for their greater community.”
Wadi Rum, or Valley of the Moon. Courtesy of Lior Dahan. Featured photo courtesy of Ahmad Qaisieh.
