(MENAFN- Jordan Times) For many Jordanian expatriates, Amman remains an inevitable destination during the summer holidays, but the growing, fast-changing city is losing its appeal for them as visitors.
Fawaz Masri, CEO and founder of Notions Group in Dubai, told The Jordan Times recently that although many Jordanians working abroad can afford more attractive destinations during the summer holiday, a visit to Jordan is a must at least once or twice a year, "to reunite with parents, friends and other family members during the nice summer weather".
"Living abroad, we don't notice the gradual changes at home, some of which are positive, and others negative. Many expatriates return only to find a plethora of accumulated changes that they did not witness and experience gradually, and find themselves feeling either proud or disappointed," he added.
Nabil Hattar, a lawyer in London, is among the disappointed.
"Amman, in my eyes, is losing its sparkle," Hattar said. "With every visit I get a stronger sense that the place and its people are stuck in time."
He said he was not happy to see high rises in town, and felt that people's attitude and behaviours were becoming more and more negative.
Several expatriates interviewed by The Jordan Times said that the country seemed to be experiencing a "self-perpetuated decline", citing aggressive motorists, traffic jams, firecrackers and a lack of the true spirit of hospitality, even at tourist attractions.
"Cigarette smoke, car exhaust pollution and daily fireworks displays, which do not seem to bother most citizens, are highly noticeable to those who do not live here," said Muhannad Attar, executive officer at Amman Chamber of Commerce.
Suha Yasmineh, who lives in the US, remarked that in addition to the lack of progress in several fields, some people are behaving as if there was no rule of the law and "no one is claiming responsibility".
But Zeid Hawi disagreed.
The CEO and owner of the Mazrui and Hawi Painting Company in Dubai highlighted the "positive changes Jordan has undergone" such as better healthcare and the thriving entrepreneurial sector led by Jordanian businessmen.
Others suggested solutions to some key issues, in an attempt to better their country and make it more welcoming.
"Poverty and unemployment remain the key two challenges of the country. Out-of-the-box solutions could and should be introduced to overcome these challenges," Ahmad Thougan Hindawi, chairman and CEO of Hindawi Excellence Group in Dubai.
"Dubai and Malaysia are two case studies that we can benchmark ourselves with and learn from after taking into account Jordan's uniqueness."
Attar added that in order to attract expatriates back to Jordan, the Kingdom must offer better services for visitors.
"People are coming here, expatriates or others, and visiting to spend their money and savings, so we should provide them with extra services in order to encourage them to come again," Attar said.
The business leader said he was aware of problems facing people like Hattar and acknowledged that the ball is in Jordan's court.
"It is our problem, not theirs."
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