Ajloun: Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Momani announced on Tuesday, in a press conference in Ajloun, the decisions made by the Council of Ministers to support tourism.
According to Jordan News Agency, Momani outlined a series of measures aimed at supporting the tourism sector, coinciding with the Cabinet session in Ajloun, known for its significance as a tourist and historical destination on Jordan’s tourism map.
He revealed that the Council approved the mandating reasons for the draft Tourism Sector Development Fund bylaw for 2025 and will forward it to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau for the completion of issuance procedures. The draft bylaw aligns with amendments to the Tourism Law, which called for the establishment of a fund within the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities named the “Tourism Sector Development Fund.”
The fund is intended to develop and enhance tourism, strengthen the tourism security system, provide technical capabilities and training, and finance entrepreneurial projects in the sector, while also supporting local communities, women, and youth. The draft bylaw aims to stimulate investment, address risks and crises affecting tourism, and ensure sustainability. Initiatives put forth by beneficiaries will receive support to enhance the professional and technical skills needed in the tourism sector.
Special programmes will also empower local communities, women, and youth to increase their participation in tourism, ultimately improving services for tourists. The fund will be managed by a committee headed by the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, with details about its members, duties, and decision-making protocols to be outlined in a further regulation.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the mandating reasons for the draft Tourism Restaurant Bylaws for 2025, set to be sent to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau. The draft includes provisions for designating non-smoking areas in restaurants to protect the health of non-smokers. It aligns with the amended Tourism Law, which has eliminated the licensing requirement from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in favour of a classification system, simplifying licensing procedures to improve the business environment and create job opportunities under new regulatory models consistent with the Economic Modernisation Vision.
The draft seeks to develop sustainable and accessible tourism while ensuring the rights of all societal groups, including the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities. The Council approved the mandating reasons for the amended bylaw for the Jordanian Tourism Restaurants Association for 2025, ensuring alignment with the revised Tourism Law. Changes include the elimination of licensing requirements in favour of approvals, new classifications for restaurants, and an adjustment of membership and subscription fees.
In a related discussion, the Council examined the mandating reasons for draft regulations concerning traditional and popular crafts and the Jordanian Association for Traditional and Popular Crafts. The Council decided to refer the proposals to the Economic Modernisation Committee for further study, aiming to simplify registration and classification processes, enhance the business environment, and foster employment opportunities for women and persons with disabilities.
During the press conference, Momani shared that the Cabinet discussed regulations for ecolodges in Ajloun Governorate to streamline licensing procedures and address issues hindering their establishment and sustainability. The measures aim to bolster their role in the local tourism sector and increase employment opportunities for residents. The framework for these changes is expected to be completed within two months.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the mandating reasons for the draft National Records Preservation Bylaw for 2025, which aims to protect national heritage and standardise national records according to the National Records Law No. 9 of 2017. Regarding environmental conservation initiatives, Momani announced the formation of the National Committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Jordan, tasked with coordinating efforts among the Union’s 30 members, including government entities and civil organisations.
The committee will monitor environmental issues pertaining to nature conservation and support Jordan’s obligations under international agreements. Jordan has been a committed member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 1981, and the Kingdom has hosted the IUCN Regional Office since 2004.
In terms of international cooperation, the Council approved a memorandum of understanding concerning the Seventh International Jordanian Date Festival 2025, aimed at promoting investment in Jordan’s date production and processing sectors while fostering connections among producers within and beyond the Kingdom. The Cabinet ratified a cooperation agreement for a neonatal resuscitation training programme between the Ministry of Health and the Latter-day Saints Charitable Society, which aims to equip healthcare workers with training to save the lives of newborns.
Momani opened the press conference by underscoring the strength of Jordan’s internal front in facing challenges, emphasising that security services are robust against any destabilising attempts. He reiterated the Prime Minister’s view that national unity will remain a cornerstone of progress, adding that the Minister of Interior will soon provide updates regarding recently uncovered schemes.