As winter weather returns and temperatures moderate, the areas of the Northern Jordan Valley district are preparing to welcome visitors and day-trippers from across the Kingdom's governorates. The area is drawing on its varied tourist, natural, historical and religious assets, while demands for better services and infrastructure are being renewed, to ensure the winter tourist season, which is an important economic opportunity for local people, is put to good use.
اضافة اعلان
The Northern Jordan Valley stands out for its geographical location, varied landscape and mild winter climate, making it a favourite destination for families and lovers of trips and outings. Temperatures drop in the mountainous areas, and during this period the area sees growing numbers of visitors to its natural sites and the rest houses spread across the district.
Tourist sites are spread across the Northern Jordan Valley, giving the area a mix of archaeological, religious and natural attractions. They include the Fahl archaeological tell, the Wadi Al-Arab Dam, the Northern Al-Shuna hot springs, rest houses overlooking the surrounding areas, and the shrines of a number of Companions of the Prophet, which draw visitors interested in religious and historical tourism.
The Fahl tell, known historically as Pella, is one of the most notable archaeological sites in the area, holding historical and civilisational remains from different eras. The Wadi Al-Arab Dam and its natural surroundings, with their scenery, open water and open spaces, make it a destination for lovers of outings and family trips.
The Northern Al-Shuna hot springs are also one of the destinations that could help boost tourism and recreation in the area, alongside the religious sites that house the shrines of a number of Companions. This gives the district the chance to attract different kinds of tourism, including natural, archaeological and religious.
An important economic contributor
The importance of these sites is not limited to recreation. They are an important economic contributor for local people. Tourist activity helps revive rest houses, restaurants and shops, and creates seasonal jobs for young people and women, as well as marketing the agricultural and home-made products for which the Northern Jordan Valley is known.
Those concerned believe that the number of tourist sites in the district calls for integrated tourist routes linking them, so that visitors can see the natural, archaeological and religious sites in a single trip. This would extend visitors' stays and boost trade in the area.
They added that general cleanliness is one of the most important requirements for developing tourism. Preserving the beauty of natural sites and bodies of water requires more intensive cleaning and supervision, the provision of waste bins, and awareness campaigns aimed at visitors and day-trippers to protect the environment and avoid leaving rubbish in natural areas.
They also noted that the return of the winter tourist season requires stronger public safety measures, especially at sites close to water, wadis and low-lying areas. This means putting up informational and warning signs, marking safe areas for outings, and providing emergency response facilities in coordination with the relevant authorities.
According to Kawthar Al-Abbasi, who works at a rest house near the Wadi Al-Arab Dam, the importance of developing basic services at tourist sites is evident in improving the roads leading to them, and providing toilets, seating areas, rest spaces and car parks, as well as better lighting and signposts. This would improve the visitor experience and encourage them to return.
She added that developing tourism in the area requires encouraging small and medium-sized projects, particularly those linked to traditional food, agricultural products and home industries, including jams, olive oil-based perfumes and citrus-based products, so that they become part of the tourist experience offered by the Northern Jordan Valley.
Al-Abbasi pointed to the importance of involving local communities in tourist activity, by supporting youth and women's initiatives and providing training in tour guiding, hospitality and small project management. This would turn tourist sites into a source of income for local people, rather than limiting the benefit to the seasonal flow of visitors.
She also stressed that reviving winter tourism needs organised media promotion of the tourist sites and their natural and historical qualities, through campaigns targeting families, schools, universities and tour groups, as well as tourist programmes combining visits to archaeological and natural sites with an introduction to agricultural products and local heritage.
Owners of tourist rest houses face challenges from the recent weather, which has damaged some facilities and outdoor seating areas. This places extra burdens on them at a time when they are waiting for the winter season to recover part of their operating costs and revive their businesses.
Improving roads and services
Rest house owner Mohammad Al-Khalidi, who runs a rest house on the road to the Wadi Al-Arab Dam, said rainwater had washed away the seating and facilities he uses to receive visitors, while water had pooled in front of the rest house, negatively affecting tourist activity and business at the moment.
He added that this damage requires greater co-operation between the relevant bodies to deal with the standing water, repair the damage and improve the roads and services around the rest houses, stressing the need to act quickly to make use of the tourist season before it is too late.
Al-Khalidi pointed out that the tourist season in the Northern Jordan Valley is short, which makes a swift response to damage and the provision of services essential for owners of tourist facilities, who rely on this part of the year to earn a significant share of their annual income.
He also stressed that tourism in the Jordan Valley benefits more than just rest house owners. It creates jobs for young people and workers, revives trade in shops and markets, and drives the local economy, noting that more visitors benefit a wide range of sectors linked to tourist activity.
Al-Khalidi said there is an urgent need for municipalities, official bodies, the private sector and the local community to combine their efforts to develop a tourism vision that makes use of these resources and protects them, and strengthens the area's presence on the domestic tourism map. He stressed that the winter tourist season in the Northern Jordan Valley is not just a period for outings and relaxation, but a short economic opportunity that wide sections of the district's people are waiting for. Speeding up the repair of damage and improving services is needed to ensure tourist facilities, workers and traders benefit from visitor numbers, and to turn natural and historical assets into a source of development, jobs and economic activity.
The head of the Fahl municipal committee, engineer Hamza Al-Momani, said the municipality is preparing the tourist sites by placing waste bins in designated spots, monitoring road maintenance and paving work, and providing the necessary services, which helps improve the level of service offered to visitors and day-trippers.
He added that the municipality is keen to co-operate and co-ordinate with the various departments and institutions concerned, with the aim of providing comfort for visitors, improving the state of the tourist sites, and keeping them clean and attractive, especially as tourist activity returns during the winter season.
Al-Momani pointed to the importance of combining the efforts of the relevant bodies and the local community to ensure the sites are ready to receive visitors and provide the services they need, which would strengthen the Northern Jordan Valley's standing as a destination for domestic tourism.
