"Our Jordan is a Paradise 2026" attracts over 225,000 participants and boosts tourism activity

The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and Director of the "Our Jordan is a Paradise" program, Dr. Ahmed Al-Rifai, stated in an interview with "$" that the total number of participants in the program reached 225,617 during the period from March 31 to October 24, 2026, exceeding the target of 220,000 participants.

Al-Rifai added that these results reflect the importance of the program in promoting the culture of domestic tourism, expanding the base of its beneficiaries, and providing citizens the opportunity to explore the tourist, archaeological, natural, and heritage sites that the Kingdom abounds with, through diverse tourist trips and experiences at subsidized prices suitable for different segments.

He pointed out that the program is implemented through a broad partnership with the private sector and various entities working in the tourism sector, including 117 restaurants, 108 accommodation facilities, 143 travel and tourism agencies, as well as 7,178 tourist guides and participating buses, reflecting the scale of partnership and integration between the various components of the sector in implementing the program and providing services to participants.

Al-Rifai emphasized that the partnership with the private sector constitutes one of the fundamental pillars of the "Our Jordan is a Paradise" program, as its role is not limited to providing subsidized tourist trips for citizens, but extends to supporting tourism establishments, enabling them to continue their operations, and enhancing their capacity for sustainability in light of the economic and regional conditions that affect inbound tourism.

He explained that involving restaurants, tourist guides, tourism associations, transport companies, and travel and tourism agencies in the program allows for expanding the circle of economic benefit from tourism activity and provides job opportunities and sources of income for workers in the sector and local communities.

He indicated that the program contributes to mitigating the effects of the decline in foreign tourism or the impact on the flow of visitors from foreign markets by stimulating domestic demand and setting the wheels of work in motion for tourism establishments and service providers in various governorates, which helps sustain their businesses and preserve the job opportunities associated with them.

He noted that tourist guides play a pivotal role in enriching the participants' experience by introducing them to historical, natural, and heritage sites and connecting visitors with the stories of the place and its civilizational specificity, while restaurants, travel agencies, and the transport sector contribute to providing an integrated tourism experience and enhancing the benefits for various parties from the flow of visitors.

Al-Rifai confirmed that the program's goals focus on stimulating domestic tourism, encouraging citizens to visit various tourist destinations in the Kingdom, expanding the scope of tourism paths and programs, enhancing visits to less-frequented areas, and highlighting the experiences and products of local communities, as well as empowering them economically and socially.

He added that the importance of "Our Jordan is a Paradise" transcends the organization of tourist trips to include raising awareness of the Jordanian civilizational and cultural heritage and establishing domestic tourism as an important tributary for sustainable economic and social development and an essential component in supporting the stability of the tourism sector and enhancing its ability to face challenges.