An international event for free skydiving from hot air balloons and air sports launched in Wadi Rum, today Friday, with the participation of about 16 skydivers, paramotor pilots, photographers, and specialists from several European countries, in an event that is the first of its kind hosted by the region, and will continue until October 10th.
The event was sponsored by the Commissioner of Tourism and Youth at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Dr. Thabet Hassan Al-Nabulsi, and was organized by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority in cooperation with the company Balloons Over Rum and a number of specialized European clubs in air sports and skydiving, including free skydiving from hot air balloons, paramotoring, and aerial photography.
Nabulsi said that Wadi Rum's hosting of this international event reflects the diversity of the region's assets and its ability to host tourist and sports activities that require a special geographical and environmental nature, noting that the nature of the valley and its rock formations form an attractive element for those interested in air sports and adventure tourism.
He added that the participation of specialists from European clubs in the event provides a practical opportunity to introduce Wadi Rum to those interested in this type of tourism, and to expand the scope of the target markets, in addition to developing tourist experiences that go beyond the traditional patterns known in the region.
Nabulsi explained that the free skydiving operations from hot air balloons began with the sunrise on Friday, according to the approved operational plans, procedures, and regulatory approvals, while the program includes activities for paramotoring, photography, and videography, in addition to a visit by the participants to Aqaba city.
He pointed out that the visit to Aqaba aims to introduce the participants to its diverse tourist attractions, and to link the air and desert experience in Wadi Rum with the tourist experiences in Aqaba, thereby enhancing the integration between the two destinations within the tourist product of the Golden Triangle region.
Nabulsi affirmed that the authority is working to develop hot air balloon tourism and air sports in Wadi Rum, and to increase the number of hot air balloons in operation, considering it an activity that can add a new experience to the tourist product, and open the door for the private sector to develop services and investments linked to adventure tourism.
He said that hosting this event represents a first step towards building more regular events in the field of air sports, indicating the authority's aspiration for the experience to develop into an annual event that attracts participants from different countries, and enhances Wadi Rum's presence among adventure tourism and air sports destinations.
Nabulsi praised the cooperation of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Authority, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Tourism Development Authority, and the Royal Jordanian Film Commission, along with national agencies and relevant partners, in supporting the organization of the event and providing its requirements, emphasizing the importance of partnership between government agencies and the private sector in developing new tourist products.
For his part, the Executive Director of Balloons Over Rum, Engineer Fayez Al-Khalifat, said that the event came as a result of cooperation between the public and private sectors to develop the hot air balloon and air adventure activity in Wadi Rum, indicating the start of preparations for holding a global hot air balloon festival in cooperation with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority during the summer of 2027.
He added that the hot air balloon activity in Wadi Rum provides more than 70 direct job opportunities for the local community, explaining that the development of this activity reflects on related sectors and services, and provides new opportunities for the people of the region.
Al-Khalifat pointed out that the local interest in these activities was noticeable, explaining that there was a segment of Jordanians who were heading to neighboring countries to participate in similar events, which confirms the existence of local interest that can be built upon in developing this type of tourism within the Kingdom.
It should be noted that the event, which continues until October 10th, combines free skydiving from hot air balloons, paramotoring, and aerial photography, benefiting from the geographical nature and rock formations that Wadi Rum is distinguished by, which contributes to developing new patterns of adventure tourism and air sports, attracting international events to the region, and enhancing the opportunities available to the local community to benefit from the associated tourist activities.
