In preparation for a series of 2,000 major milestones culminating in 2033, when Christians around the world commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus, Jordan is accelerating preparations for the first of these in 2030, the anniversary of Jesus’ baptism in Bethany across the Jordan River, the UNESCO-recognized site where John baptized Jesus and where Christ’s public ministry began.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, named for the Jordan River and ruled by pro-Western King Abdullah II, is organizing a major global celebration to commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the baptism of Christ.
Emad Hijazin, Jordan’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, told Christian Daily International that the Baptism Site Committee, the Ministry of Tourism and the Royal Courts will soon announce a comprehensive program for the Millennium commemoration.
Hijazin, who comes from a Christian family in the southern city of Karak, said he was looking forward to working with world Christian leaders, including the Rev. Bottles Mansour of Nazareth, the new executive director of the World Evangelical Alliance, to encourage Christian pilgrims to visit Jordan. Mansour said he was eager to meet with Jordanian officials. “We at the World Evangelical Alliance look forward to seeing how we can work closely with the Jordanian authorities on this and other issues,” he told Christian Daily International.
Senator Michael Nazar, Chairman of the Jordanian Senate Committee on Tourism and Heritage, highlighted Saudi efforts to present the Baptismal Millennium as a moment of global Christian unity.
“Under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, we are strengthening our infrastructure, expanding our pilgrimage services and working closely with church leaders around the world to welcome visitors from all denominations,” he said. “Baptismal sites are cornerstones of Christian heritage and Jordan is honored to protect them. This celebration reaffirms Jordan’s role as a trusted home of sacred Christian history.”
Local tourism industry leaders also see this millennium as an opportunity to revive an industry hit by global and regional crises. Hanna Sawalha, owner of Nebo Tours, said the sector had endured years of hardship. “We were crippled by the coronavirus pandemic, and just when the situation started to improve, the conflict in Gaza turned away most tourists and pilgrims,” he said. “Now that the ceasefire is in place, we can finally begin to make medium- and long-term plans, hopefully culminating in the Millennium of Christ’s Baptism.”
Tourism is the main pillar of Jordan’s economy, accounting for approximately 11.4% of GDP. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, tourism receipts reached 3.29 billion Jordanian dinars (approximately $4.6 billion) in 2017. The sector has long relied on cultural and natural attractions, but officials hope the Millennial festival will give new momentum to religious tourism.
To accommodate the expected surge in pilgrims, Jordan is raising $100 million to build an authentic first-century Palestinian-style village near the baptismal site. This development aims to enrich the historical and spiritual experience for visiting devotees.
Jordan’s tourist attractions include Petra, which was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Wadi Rum is a nature reserve known for its dramatic desert landscape and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. and the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Officials expect the baptism site to join these destinations and foster sustained tourism growth of 2% to 5% annually. Jordan’s finance minister predicts a growth rate of 2.9% in 2026.
Biblical archaeologists note that over 100 sites in Jordan are referenced in both the Old and New Testaments.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, this baptismal site has long attracted pilgrims from across Christian traditions. That identification is consistent with the Gospel’s reference to a location “beyond the Jordan” on the east bank of the river where John was baptizing in John 1:28.
Jordan is positioning itself as a leading destination for Christian pilgrimage at this historic moment, and officials say the goal is not only to welcome millions of visitors, but also to reaffirm the country’s long-standing commitment to religious coexistence and the preservation of Christianity’s sacred heritage.
