documented today. Over 300 species of plants, 10 species of carnivores and numerous species of permanent and migratory birds have been recorded. Shaumari Wildlife Reserve – The Shaumari Reserve was created in 1975 by the RSCN as a breeding centre for endangered or locally extinct wildlife. Today, following breeding programmes with some of the world's leading wildlife parks and zoos, this small, 22-square-kilometre reserve is a thriving protected environment for some of the most rare species in the Middle East, as Arabian oryx, ostriches, gazelles and onagers, which are depicted on many 6th century Byzantine mosaics. Visitor statistics Most visitors arriving to Jordan were from the following countries of nationality: Investment Jordan is investing heavily in its tourist infrastructure in the form of luxury hotels, spas, resorts, and massive real estate projects, as The "Abdali Urban Regeneration" Project and the "Marsa Zayed" in Aqaba. Luxury residential housing like Sanaya Amman and the Living Wall are attracting affluent Persian Gulf vacationers to buy property in Jordan. Queen Alia International Airport is being expanded to handle 9 million passengers annually in the first phase; 12 million in the second phase. Tourism Development Currently USAID is an active partner in the development of the tourism industry in Jordan with the continued support of the Jordan Tourism Development Project (Siyaha), currently in its second project lifecycle. Jordan Tourism Project (SIYAHA) Duration: 2005–2008 Funding: $17,424,283 (estimated) Implementing Partner: Chemonics International Jordan Tourism Project II (SIYAHA) Duration: 2008–2013 Funding: $28 million Implementing Partner: Chemonics International With the establishment of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, nearly twenty billion dollars have been invested in Jordan's sole coastal city. Luxurious resorts such as Saraya Aqaba and Tala Bay are being constructed with more in the pipeline like the $1 billion Ayla Oasis. With Jordan becoming increasing popular as a cruising destination, a new and modern cruise ship terminal is being constructed in the Marsa Zayed project. See also World Tourism Organization Visa policy of Jordan References External links Jordan Tourism Board Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, Jordan Touristic Sites description and maps in King Hussein official memory website Tourism in Jordan Jordan