AMMAN — Every tourist
destination in the Kingdom is known by a unique nickname that describes its
scenery:
اضافة اعلان
●
Petra: Red Rose City
●
Wadi Rum: Extraterrestrial
● The
Dead Sea is a place where you can float away
● And adding to this list
now is
Ajloun, the Oxygen of Jordan
In a recent unveiling of a new tourism
initiative, the
Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, along with the
Ajloun Governorate, gathered media delegations from across the Kingdom to present
Ajloun as one of the upcoming captivating tourist destinations.
35 percent of its total area is covered in
dense forestsDescribed as the oxygen of Jordan or the
Switzerland of the Kingdom, Ajloun is renowned for its lush green landscapes
and rich natural and historical heritage. The region aspires to become a new
hotspot for local culture, arts, cuisine, and, of course, nature. Its dense
forests, covering 35 percent of its total area, are visible in every direction,
including stunning aerial views of the olive trees from the new
Ajloun Cable Car. According to the Ministry, the governorate anticipates welcoming
approximately 2.2 million visitors, including those seeking environmentally
friendly tourism experiences in the Kingdom.
Marketing a record in the governorate’s
history
So far, the numbers have already reached half
a million visitors, with both tourists and locals exploring the castles, cable
car, and Mar Elias, marking a record in the governorate's history. Since His
Majesty
King Abdullah II declared Ajloun a development and tourist region in
late 2009, dedicated efforts have been made to harness its environmental,
agricultural, and tourist potential to elevate the living standards of its
residents. A comprehensive plan was proposed, resulting in the successful
implementation of over 12 tourism projects that have significantly transformed
the tourism landscape in the governorate.
The Ajloun Cable CarOne of these projects is the
Ajloun Cable Car,
which has attracted more than 190,000 visitors since its inception.
These projects encompassed various
initiatives, including the development of Ajloun city's cultural center,
infrastructure enhancements for
Ajloun Castle, and the modernization of the
governorate's visitor center – the starting point for all tourist trips to the
region. Additionally, services along tourist trails were improved, and new
trails were created, making a substantial contribution to the tourism sector.
The
Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities also
initiated a project to establish a 27-acre park in the Sus Rasun area,
generously provided by the Ministry of Agriculture. This initiative was part of
a royal effort to create a 200-acre tourist park with the aim of empowering
local communities to invest in and operate the park, ultimately boosting the
tourism sector in the governorate while reducing random tourism.
Further efforts included upgrading the road to
Sus Rasun Park, expanding the historic Mar Elias road, creating new parking
facilities, establishing commercial establishments, and
enhancing services at various tourism sites. The
Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, a
vital partner, played an active role in supporting decentralized projects
within the tourism sector.
Community developmentThe Ministry also placed a strong emphasis on community development
within the governorate. It conducted training programs for various tourism
professions, thereby creating direct job opportunities for the local community.
Since 2017, three such programs have been implemented, alongside
tourism awareness initiatives targeting all schools in the governorate, including both academic
and vocational institutions.
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