Ajloun, April 13 (Petra) – The tourism sector in Ajloun Governorate is undergoing a marked shift, driven by the Ajloun Cable Car project, which has emerged as a key attraction boosting visitor inflows, stimulating economic activity, and expanding prospects for sustainable tourism investment.
Director of the Ajloun Development Zone, Tariq Maayta, said the project has introduced a qualitative leap in the governorate’s tourism offerings, contributing to a tangible rise in visitor numbers, particularly during weekends and peak seasons. He noted that the cable car has had a ripple effect across tourism-related sectors, including services, restaurants, and handicrafts.
Maayta added that the next phase will focus on expanding investment projects to further enhance the visitor experience, with plans aimed at creating an integrated tourism environment encompassing accommodation facilities, as well as recreational and cultural activities, to encourage longer stays.
He underlined ongoing efforts to attract high-quality investments that support local development and generate employment opportunities for residents.
Tourism expert Khaled Jabali said the project has reshaped the tourism landscape in northern Jordan, moving Ajloun beyond its traditional reliance on short visits. He stressed the importance of developing comprehensive tourism programs that incorporate ecotourism trails and cultural activities to maximize the sector’s economic returns.
Youssef Sami, a member of the Nasma Shawq Tourism Association, highlighted the need to strengthen organized promotional efforts to match the growing demand, stressing that effective coordination between official entities and the local community remains vital for sustainable tourism development.
Nabil Samadi, a lawyer and member of the "Environment Unites Us" initiative, said the project represents a model for leveraging natural resources in a manner that supports development while preserving environmental integrity.
Meanwhile, tourism investor Mohammad Qudah said the project has significantly boosted occupancy rates in tourist facilities, with demand for accommodation steadily rising alongside increased visitor arrivals via the cable car. He added that this momentum has encouraged investors to expand and upgrade their services, calling for further support to strengthen the accommodation sector and promote overnight tourism.
At the community level, Fatima Zaghoul, a participant in the permanent rural products and handicrafts exhibition at the cable car site, said the initiative has created valuable marketing opportunities for local producers. She noted that strong visitor turnout has helped support productive families and improve their incomes.
Zaghoul added that Ajloun’s handicrafts embody a rich cultural and heritage identity, enhancing the governorate’s tourism appeal, and stressed that sustaining and expanding such exhibitions plays a key role in empowering women and reinforcing the local economy.
//Petra// AJ
