Ajloun, July 12 (Petra) – Jordan Free and Development Zones Group (JFDZG) Chairperson Sakher Ajlouni said the Ajloun Cable Car has achieved a qualitative shift in the governorate’s tourism sector during its first three years, strengthening Ajloun’s position as a leading destination for eco, recreational, and religious tourism.
In a statement Sunday, Ajlouni said the cable car has become one of Jordan’s most visited tourist attractions, adding that it was designed not merely as a tourism transport facility but as an integrated development project aligned with Royal directives to promote sustainable development in the governorates and invest in local competitive advantages.
He said the project has grown from an "ambitious idea into a national success story," helping stimulate tourism and economic activity in Ajloun and increasing the governorate’s visibility on the local and regional tourism map.
Ajlouni noted that the JFDZG has worked since the project’s opening to involve the local community as a key partner by establishing a permanent bazaar for productive families, artisans, and small-business owners. The bazaar allows them to market products that reflect Ajloun’s heritage and identity under the slogan "Made by Ajlouni Hands." He added that the cable car has also become a platform for events and festivals that have boosted tourism activity, including the Olive Festival, Ajloun Spring, and several cultural, artistic, and entertainment events that attracted visitors from across the Kingdom.
Ajlouni said the group’s vision extends beyond the cable car as a tourism facility to developing an integrated tourism-attraction system by drawing quality investments and providing new recreational services and facilities. He said these efforts aim to extend visitors’ stays and increase the project’s economic return for the local community.
The project has also strengthened tourism links between Ajloun’s key historical and religious sites, particularly Ajloun Castle and Mar Elias, offering visitors an integrated experience combining nature, heritage, history, and religion.
Ajlouni said public safety has been a top priority since the planning phase, noting that the project is equipped with advanced international systems and technologies used in cable car operations, making it one of the region’s most developed and safest systems.
He said the safety system is based on three integrated operational plans for emergencies: safely returning cabins to the launch station, moving them to the cabin storage building at the second station, or carrying out controlled ground evacuation at preselected points based on detailed engineering studies of the route’s terrain.
He added that rescue and evacuation teams have received specialized training in line with international best practices and maintain high readiness to handle emergencies, ensuring the highest safety standards for visitors.
//Petra// AO
