‘Demand for Turkish lira on the rise as more Jordanians vacation in Turkey’

AMMAN –– Demand for Turkish lira in the domestic market is growing as Jordanians are booking package tours before Ramadan starts, according to the Jordanian Exchange Association. 

Syndicate president Alaa Eddine Diraniyeh told The Jordan Times Saturday that demand for lira is expected to slow down in the fasting month, which is expected to start on June 17 or 18, according to the Islamic lunar calendar. 

One Jordanian dinar is equivalent to 3.76 Turkish liras.

Shaher Hamdan, president of the Jordan Society of Tourism and Travel Agents, described Turkey as the preferred destination for Jordanians, noting that over 250,000 tourists visit the country annually. 

“Turkey is currently the perfect destination for a family or luxury vacation,” Hamdan said.

“Bookings for tour packages have been on the rise over the past days as many Jordanian families want to go there ahead of Ramadan,” he told The Jordan Times.

Hamdan attributed Jordanians’ preference for Turkey as a holiday destination to various factors, including the variety of attractions available and because a short vacation there is affordable for the majority of households. 

Jordanians also do not require a visa to enter Turkey.

Turmoil in neighbouring countries also boosted the popularity of Turkey as Syria and Lebanon are no longer safe destinations for Jordanians, Hamdan said.

He noted that over half-a-million Jordanians used to go to Syria annually, while they constituted the majority of tourists in Lebanon. 

Nael Riyal, who owns a travel agency in Amman, said Turkey is the top choice for Jordanian vacationers, followed by Sharm El Sheikh, the Red Sea resort in Egypt.

Jordanians go to Turkey all year round, particularly to Istanbul, Riyal noted.