Jordan raising $100M for construction of first century village ahead of 2,000th anniversary of Jesus’ baptism.
Bethany Beyond the Jordan 2030
An artistic rendering of the proposed Pilgrimage Village of the Baptism Development Zone of the "Bethany beyond the Jordan" area in Jordan. | MK Associates in collaboration with Mostaqbal Engineering and Environmental Consultants and Design Workshop
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan — named after the Jordan River and ruled by pro-Western King Abdullah II — is organizing a major global celebration marking the 2,000th anniversary of Christ’s baptism.
Emad Hijazin, Jordan’s minister of tourism and antiquities, told Christian Daily International that the Baptism Site Commission, the Ministry of Tourism and the Royal Court will soon announce a comprehensive program for the millennial commemoration.
Hijazin, who comes from a Christian family in the southern city of Karak, said he looks forward to coordinating with global Christian leaders, including the Rev. Botrus Mansour of Nazareth, the new secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance, to encourage Christian pilgrims to visit Jordan. Mansour said he is eager to meet with Jordanian officials. “We in the World Evangelical Alliance are excited to see how we can work closely with the Jordanian authorities on this and other issues,” he told Christian Daily International.
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“Under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, we are enhancing infrastructure, expanding pilgrimage services, and working closely with church leaders worldwide to welcome visitors from all denominations,” he said. “The Baptism Site is a cornerstone of Christian heritage, and Jordan is honored to safeguard it. This celebration is a reaffirmation of Jordan’s role as a trusted home for sacred Christian history.”
Local tourism leaders also see the millennium as a chance to revive an industry battered by global and regional crises. Hanna Sawalha, owner of Nebo Tours, said the sector has endured years of hardship. “We were crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic, and just as things began to improve, the Gaza conflict kept most tourists and pilgrims away,” he said. “Now that the ceasefire is holding, we can finally start making medium- and long-term plans that will hopefully culminate in the millennial anniversary of Christ’s baptism.”
Tourism is a main pillar of Jordan’s economy, contributing about 11.4% of GDP. Tourism receipts reached 3.29 billion Jordanian dinars (about $4.6 billion) in 2017, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. While the sector has long relied on cultural and natural attractions, officials hope the millennial celebrations will give new momentum to religious tourism.
To accommodate the expected surge in pilgrims, Jordan is raising $100 million for the construction of an authentic first-century Palestinian-style village near the Baptism Site. The development is intended to enrich the historical and spiritual experience for visiting believers.
Jordan’s attractions include Petra, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007; Wadi Rum, a protected wilderness area and UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic desert landscape; and the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. Officials hope the Baptism Site will join these destinations in driving sustained annual tourism growth of 2% to 5%. Jordan’s finance minister forecasts a 2.9% growth rate in 2026.
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This article was originally published at Christian Daily International
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