‘Urdun Jannah’ has attracted 33,500 participants since June — Tourism Ministry

AMMAN — The “UrdunJannah” programme, launched to encourage domestic tourism for Jordanians and residents, has attracted 33,500 participants since the launch of its third season in June, according to a Tourism Ministry statement.

"New destinations have been added to the programme including Jerash and Ajloun, in addition to trips to Tafileh that include camping at Dana Biosphere Reserve and historical sites in Karak," Yazan Khdeer, the programme’s director, said in the statement.

Khdeer added that the programme’s committee runs regular evaluations of the trips’ schedule and adjusts it based on the participants’ preferences.

The “Urdun Jannah” programme, a joint effort between the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Jordan Tourism Board, aims to promote domestic tourism for Jordanians and the country's residents to revive domestic tourism and alleviate the losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the statement.

The "Urdunn Jannah’’ programme provides free transportation (buses) and meals for the participants, as well as a tour guide for each bus. The ministry covers over 50 per cent of the programme's total cost, with a JD6 million budget for this year, the statement said.

"The programme provides 1,222 tourist buses accompanied by 1,222 guides," the statement said.

Ayah Kilani, a Jordanian citizen, said that the trips are very well organised. She added that they followed the schedule and the service they received was excellent, especially considering the low prices. 

“I will definitely go on more trips with Urdun Jannah,” she told The Jordan Times.

Sylvia Willis, an expatriate who went on several trips with "Urdunn Jannah’’ said the guides were very helpful and spoke English fluently. However, she felt that cleanliness could be improved in the bus restrooms. 

The ministry encouraged visitors to take advantage of the competitive prices and enjoy visiting the historical and tourist sites in all the Jordanian governorates.

Adhering to the COVID-19 protocols, the Tourism Ministry regularly distributes masks and gloves at historical sites, museums and visitors' centers. These sites are also are routinely disinfected and cleaned by the antiquities department’s staff, the statement said.