The Jordan Hotels Association has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Al-Balqa Applied University to enhance cooperation in hospitality training and qualification, as well as to elevate performance quality standards in the tourism sector.

The memorandum was signed by His Excellency Eng. Abdul Hakim Mahmoud Al-Hindi, Chairman of the Jordan Hotels Association, and Professor Dr. Ahmed Fakhri Al-Ajlouni, President of the University, in the presence of representatives from both parties.

H.E Al-Hindi explained that the agreement includes organizing workshops and training courses aimed at developing university students’ skills and preparing them for the hotel industry job market. It also involves designing national training programs for qualification and employment.

He emphasized that advancing the hotel sector starts with having highly trained and qualified Jordanian professionals, which enhances the competitiveness of tourism establishments and improves service quality in accordance with the highest international standards.

He also highlighted that the tourism sector is one of the largest employment sectors in Jordan, with approximately 60,000 workers in both direct and indirect jobs. The hotel sector alone employs around 22,000 workers. Furthermore, he noted that the sector not only attracts local labor but also serves as a key provider of qualified professionals to neighboring countries. This underscores the importance of continuous investment in training and qualification to ensure the sector’s sustainable growth and competitiveness.

Dr. Al-Ajlouni affirmed that this agreement strengthens the partnership between the university and the private sector, contributing to job opportunities for university graduates. It also enables the association to benefit from scientific research and academic outputs while supporting local community members through specialized training programs that lead to employment.

The scope of cooperation includes conducting theoretical training courses, hosting lectures and short workshops on hotel classification, inspections, and reporting, providing academic support for students in research and paper development, and participating in local and international exhibitions and conferences related to hospitality education.