140,271 tourists visited Ajloun Castle in 2016

AMMAN — A total of 140,271 tourists visited Ajloun Castle in 2016 from Jordan and other countries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Thursday. 

Ajloun Tourism Director Hani Shweikat said the Tourism Ministry is going to float two tenders during 2017 and 2018 to implement several projects.

The first project, expected to cost
JD500, 000, aims to improve Tell Mar Elias site by providing services and infrastructure such as shelters to preserve the mosaics, as well as parking lots.

The second tender involves two projects to be implemented in cooperation with the Department of Antiquities and Ajloun Municipality at a cost of around JD200,000 each. 

It entails building trails that connect ancient water mills, offering services and facilities at the site, and rehabilitating the mills.

Shweikat said the Ajloun directorate, through the plans and projects of the ministry, is working to develop the tourism sector in the governorate, around 70km northwest of Amman.

The official said there are some future projects to be implemented such as a cable car project and a hotel, stressing the importance of such plans to maximise the benefits to local communities and to extend visitors’ stay in Ajloun.

The governorate boasts several tourist attraction, the most important of which is Ajloun Castle, which was built in 1184 AD by Izz Al Din Usama, a Muslim leader and nephew of Saladin. 

In previous remarks to The Jordan Times, Jordan Tourism Board officials have said that the lack of services, such as hotels and five-star restaurants in areas like Ajloun and other northern sites were among the main factors why tourists, particularly Arab visitors, preferred to remain in Amman.