Tourism and environmental experts in the Ajloun Governorate have emphasized the importance of activating heritage cave tourism as a promising avenue to diversify the tourism product and boost economic development in rural areas.
اضافة اعلان
Strategic Support and Funding:
Budget Allocation: Engineer Moawiya Annab, Chairman of the Ajloun Governorate Council Committee, stated that the 2026 budget has prioritized the tourism sector, allocating approximately 70,000 JOD to develop heritage sites, including caves.
Economic Impact: Annab highlighted that investing in this niche tourism offers a real opportunity to revitalize the local economy by creating jobs and supporting tourism-related industries in villages.
Models of Success:
"The Meditation Cave" (Kahf Al-Ta'ammul): Dr. Saffah Al-Subh, the owner of the project, described it as a model for "alternative tourism" that blends art and nature. He rehabilitated the cave using simple tools and local materials to maintain its authenticity. He called for integrating such individual initiatives into official tourism tracks and the "Urdun Jannah" program.
Sustainable Tourism: Ali Al-Smadi, a member of the "Our Tourism is Our Wealth" initiative, noted that cave tourism raises awareness about preserving natural resources and promotes sustainable tourism practices.
Visitor Appeal:
Unique Experiences: Tour guide Issa Al-Shara indicated that heritage caves are a major draw within ecotourism programs, as visitors increasingly seek non-traditional experiences that combine history and nature.
Extended Stays: Integrating these sites into organized tourist routes helps extend the duration of a tourist's stay in the governorate, directly benefiting local communities.
Tranquility and Heritage: Dr. Yassin Al-Momani added that these sites provide a unique sense of calm and meditation, making them a preferred destination for those looking to move away from conventional tourism patterns.
Experts concluded that further promotion and infrastructure development are essential to transforming these natural and heritage assets into a cornerstone of Ajloun’s tourism identity.
Reported by: Ali Freihat
