The Tourism Sector in the Northern Jordan Valley and Al-Koura Districts — Current Realities and Future Aspirations

A policy paper published by We Rise Center for Sustainable Development as part of the “Lafta” Initiative, one of the initiatives developed under the second cycle of Youth Council 21. The paper assesses the tourism sector in the Northern Jordan Valley and Al-Koura districts, identifying the opportunities and challenges affecting its capacity to advance local development and create sustainable economic opportunities. The paper draws on four focus group discussions involving more than 100 participants, including representatives of local communities, decision-makers, municipal and governorate councils, experts, academics, and students from Yarmouk University’s Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management. It examines tourism and archaeological sites, infrastructure and services, investment, digital promotion, and the roles of government institutions, elected councils, and the private sector. The paper presents a set of practical recommendations, including developing infrastructure and visitor centres, strengthening coordination among relevant stakeholders, attracting investment, supporting small tourism enterprises, preparing young people for employment as tour guides, and developing media and digital campaigns to promote and protect tourism and archaeological sites.