The Social Security Corporation (SSC) held a consultative meeting with the Board members of the Jordan Hotels Association (JHA) to discuss the key operational and financial challenges facing hotel establishments and to explore opportunities for collaboration and partnership on joint projects and initiatives that support the sustainability of the hospitality sector and strengthen its contribution to the national economy.

The meeting reviewed the current state of Jordan’s hotel sector and the cumulative pressures affecting its performance, including rising operating costs, fluctuations in demand during certain periods, increasing financial obligations, and the challenges associated with retaining skilled employees, enhancing service quality, and improving the competitiveness of hotel establishments.

The General Manager of the Social Security Corporation, Dr. Hazem Al-Rahahleh, stated that the consultative meeting with the Jordan Hotels Association reflects the Corporation’s commitment to listening to the challenges and concerns facing hotel establishments and to reviewing the ideas and proposals presented by representatives of the sector. He emphasized the importance of maintaining an ongoing dialogue and exchanging views on issues of mutual interest.

For his part, Mr. Hussein Hilalat, Chairman of the Board of the Jordan Hotels Association, said that the meeting provided an important opportunity to present a clear picture of the current realities facing the hotel sector and to discuss the challenges limiting its capacity for growth and investment. He stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Social Security Corporation and the Association and exploring joint projects and initiatives based on sound economic and investment principles.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hani Dabbas, Vice Chairman of the Association’s Board of Directors, noted that ensuring the long-term sustainability of the hospitality sector requires moving beyond addressing immediate challenges toward building enduring institutional partnerships that leverage available expertise and resources, support sector development, preserve employment opportunities, and enhance the economic value generated by tourism.

Members of the Association’s Board also highlighted the significant hardships the hotel sector has endured over recent years, including successive crises that have adversely affected liquidity, cash flows, and the ability of hotel establishments to meet their financial obligations and expand their operations. Despite these challenges, hotels have continued to preserve jobs and support tourism and economic activity across the Kingdom.

The Board further emphasized the importance of exploring innovative partnership models between the Social Security Corporation and the Jordan Hotels Association. These could include the development of tourism and hospitality projects, the rehabilitation of selected assets, support for training and employment programs, digital transformation initiatives, energy efficiency projects, and the enhancement of hotel products and services to meet the evolving demands of emerging tourism markets.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants reaffirmed the importance of continuing consultations and constructive dialogue between the Social Security Corporation and the Jordan Hotels Association to further examine the proposed ideas and initiatives from economic, legal, and investment perspectives, with the aim of strengthening the hospitality sector and enhancing its contribution to Jordan’s tourism industry and overall economic development.