A wasted opportunity

Perseid shooting stars started lighting up the Kingdom’s skies as of midnight on Tuesday and the meteor shower will continue until August 20.

Here is a question to whom it may concern and to the Ministry of Tourism, the Jordan Tourism Board, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, the Petra Development and Tourism Regional Authority and everyone who is wondering why our tourism is deteriorating: Is not this natural amazing phenomenon an opportunity for camping trips and nature walks, and for hotels in all our tourist areas and deserts to arrange sky-watching events with dinners and fun activities for the whole family?

Is this not a perfect summer outing away from the crazy traffic, busy malls and crowded streets to enjoy a weekend in the desert, help the devastated businesses in Wadi Rum, Petra and all over the Kingdom, maybe even the desert castles?

We have hundreds of Arab tourists in Jordan spending the summer. Is this not a golden opportunity?

I really do not understand how nobody is thinking about such simple ways to promote tourism and plan a weekend away for families with kids — something fun and healthy where kids can have an iPad-free day.

I have to give credit to The Jordan Times — they had a story a couple of days ago on this astronomy event — didn’t anyone pick up on it? It is not too late friends — spread the word and go out there.

Rana Naber
Amman