Euromonitor International measured the country against a range of sustainability factors, including quality of transportation and hotel rooms

Jordan has been ranked the top country in the Middle East and Africa region in terms of its sustainable tourism sector. In Euromonitor International’s Top Countries for Sustainable Tourism 2020 report, the country ranked 43rd out of 99 countries.

The list took into account environmental sustainability, social sustainability, economic stability, risks, sustainable demand, sustainable transport and sustainable lodging. According to Euromonitor, the pandemic has given tourism establishments an opportunity to rebuild themselves in a more sustainable way.

It said: “Radical change will be essential in building resiliency and agility to future-proof the sector. Using the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a blueprint, travel and tourism businesses are joining forces to declare a climate emergency. Sustainable transformations will play a significant factor in the future to ensure businesses and communities can thrive in a post-Covid age.”

No other Middle Eastern country broke into the top half of the index, with Oman and the UAE being ranked 57th and 58th respectively. Saudi Arabia and Qatar meanwhile came in at 72nd and 86th.