Latest news with #Al-Majali


Jordan News
11-06-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
106,000 Visitors Flock to Aqaba During Eid Al-Adha Holiday - Jordan News
Around 106,000 tourists and visitors spent the Eid Al-Adha holiday in the city of Aqaba, with the average hotel occupancy rate across various classifications reaching 91%. Visitors stayed for an average of two nights over the six-day holiday period. اضافة اعلان Chairman of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Shadi Ramzi Al-Majali, stated that Eid days in Aqaba passed smoothly and peacefully despite the large number of visitors, thanks to the joint Eid plan implemented by ASEZA, the Aqaba Governorate, and relevant authorities to maintain uninterrupted services for citizens and tourists. Al-Majali praised the coordinated efforts under the leadership of Aqaba Governor Khaled Al-Hajjaj, and the implementation by all stakeholders and security agencies, which played a major role in efficiently serving visitors. The security and traffic plans also helped ease movement, reduce congestion, and facilitate procedures at customs points and land, sea, and air border crossings. He noted that from the first day of the holiday until Tuesday, Aqaba welcomed about 106,000 visitors—90,000 entered via Wadi Al-Yatam and Wadi Araba customs points, and 16,000 via international land, air, and sea ports. The average hotel occupancy rate during the holiday reached 91%, with an average stay of two nights. Wadi Rum also saw significant tourism activity, receiving around 6,500 visitors, including 4,000 foreign tourists. He explained that the visitor count was tracked using a smart and precise camera system installed at Aqaba's entrances. Al-Majali highlighted the continued flow of commercial activity through the ports, facilitated by the efforts of the Jordan Customs Department, Aqaba Company for Ports Management and Operation, the Container Terminal, and various regulatory and technical agencies under ASEZA's supervision. No delays were reported in cargo handling during the holiday. He emphasized that Aqaba experienced very active tourism and commercial activity due to strategic marketing, events hosted by ASEZA and other tourism projects, and a shopping initiative by the Aqaba Chamber of Commerce. Support and incentives provided to tourism, service, hotel, and marine facilities in cooperation with the private sector also contributed to the season's success. As part of ASEZA's tourism strategy, a free program of artistic, cultural, and entertainment events was held throughout Eid at the Great Arab Revolt Plaza. These events created a joyful atmosphere for locals and visitors alike, featuring performances by Jordanian singers and traditional folk bands, spectacular drone light shows, and fireworks launched over the sea. The festivities also celebrated the King's Accession Day, Army Day, and the national football team's qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Additionally, Aqaba hosted two major concerts by artists Nassif Zeytoun and Rahma Riad as part of the 'Aqaba Waves Festival' at the South Beach open-air theater. The Environmental Commission launched the awareness campaign "Leave it Clean" at border crossings and public beaches. ASEZA distributed educational brochures and eco-friendly fabric bags to cars entering the city to discourage littering, in cooperation with the Royal Department for Environmental Protection and Orbaser, the company responsible for Aqaba's cleanliness, alongside youth committees and community initiatives. The Aqaba Marine Reserve carried out underwater cleaning campaigns and implemented a continuous monitoring and awareness program along the coastline, with teams deployed to prevent any environmental damage or pollution in heavily crowded beach areas. Al-Majali also mentioned that ASEZA's City Commission and health inspection teams ensured public slaughtering services were available at the official slaughterhouse under strict health and safety guidelines. They also worked round the clock to monitor food establishments and prevent the sale of food items outside designated areas, maintaining food safety standards. City services implemented a maintenance and response program for public facilities during the holiday, and, in coordination with Orbaser, increased cleaning staff in key locations such as slaughtering areas, city centers, and beaches. Work shifts were doubled to operate 24/7, with additional garbage compactors deployed in market and hotel zones. Al-Majali concluded by commending the seamless and cooperative work of all agencies involved, emphasizing the unified team spirit that enabled the provision of excellent services to Aqaba's visitors during Eid Al-Adha. — (Petra)


Jordan News
04-06-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Ministry of Agriculture Announces Indicative Prices for Eid Al-Adha Sacrificial Animals - Jordan News
The Ministry of Agriculture has announced the opening of imports for live sacrificial animals from Syria, as part of efforts to boost supply in local markets and stabilize prices ahead of Eid Al-Adha. اضافة اعلان According to the ministry's spokesperson, Lawrence Al-Majali, in a radio statement, importing live Syrian kids (young goats) has been approved and they are now available in local markets as an option for Eid sacrifices. He added that importing live sheep from Syria is currently limited to the military institution only, noting that this decision is part of the ministry's policy to diversify sources of sacrificial animals and reduce pressure on domestic production. Al-Majali highlighted that most sacrificial animals in Jordan are of local origin, in addition to imported animals from countries such as Romania, Australia, and Spain. He emphasized that importing from Syria helps balance supply and demand during the Eid season and enhances citizens' ability to purchase sacrifices at reasonable prices. Sacrificial Animal Prices Al-Majali noted that the livestock market in Jordan is witnessing an unprecedented abundance this year, with about 580,000 heads of local and imported sheep available, while the market demand is estimated at only 250,000 to 300,000 heads. He also shared indicative prices for sacrifices: The average price for a medium-sized imported sacrifice ranges between 200 to 225 Jordanian Dinars. The local sacrifice ranges between 220 to 260 Dinars, depending on supply, demand, and availability. He clarified that these prices are indicative, not fixed, and based on market conditions. Prices usually start to drop after the afternoon of the first day of Eid and continue to decline during the following Tashreeq days. Al-Majali urged citizens to shop around and compare prices before buying, noting that there are over 400 livestock sale points in Amman alone, in addition to other sites across the kingdom.


Jordan News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Al-Majali Sworn In Before Prime Minister - Jordan News
Al-Majali Sworn In Before Prime Minister Shadi Al-Majali, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, was sworn in before Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan on Tuesday, following the Royal Decree endorsing the Cabinet's decision to appoint him. اضافة اعلان The swearing-in ceremony was conducted in accordance with Article 13 of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Law No. (32) of 2000. The ceremony was attended by Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs Abdullah Al-Adwan and Secretary General of the Prime Ministry Abdul Latif Al-Najdawi. —(Petra)


Jordan News
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Allowing Entry of Syrian Tourist Groups into the Kingdom According to Approved Regulations - Jordan News
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, Tariq Al-Majali, announced the resumption of approval for the entry of Syrian tourist groups into the Kingdom, according to the previously applied regulations and conditions. This will be done under the sponsorship of licensed travel and tourism offices, with the visit duration limited to one month only. اضافة اعلان Al-Majali clarified in a special statement to the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the decision has taken effect as of today. He confirmed that the concerned authorities have begun taking the necessary measures to ensure its implementation according to the specified frameworks. He added that this step is part of efforts to support the tourism sector, enhance tourism movement, and facilitate the process for the brothers in Syria while maintaining the Kingdom's security and ensuring compliance with the approved requirements. --(Petra)


Jordan News
26-03-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Interior Ministry: Simplified Procedures to Stimulate Tourism and Facilitate Entry into Jordan - Jordan News
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, Tariq Al-Majali, confirmed that the ministry has implemented a series of simplified procedures to boost the tourism sector and facilitate entry into the Kingdom as part of the implementation of the economic modernization vision. اضافة اعلان In a special statement to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Al-Majali explained that these measures aim to ease the entry of foreign nationals into the Kingdom, contributing to the enhancement of tourism and making Jordan an attractive destination for tourists and investors from around the world. He clarified that the procedures include allowing foreign nationals and Arabs residing in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and all European countries to enter the Kingdom without the need for prior approvals, provided they hold valid residence in those countries for no less than four months. Al-Majali also highlighted that these measures include Syrian nationals residing in European countries, with the scope of included European countries expanded to include all European nations, rather than just EU member states. He pointed out that nationals of South Sudan and Libya will be allowed to enter the Kingdom without prior approvals, in an effort to simplify procedures related to medical tourism and increase the benefits derived from Jordan's positive reputation in the healthcare field. The spokesperson further stated that the ministry will handle nationals of countries still requiring prior approval in the same way as citizens of the countries where they reside, provided they hold a valid residence for four months in those countries. Additionally, the ministry will allow holders of Schengen visas and U.S. visas to enter the Kingdom, whether or not they have used these visas. A five-year multiple-entry visa will be granted, with a stay of up to three months per visit through border centers without the need to visit security centers. In a related matter, Al-Majali mentioned that the ministry will permit domestic workers accompanying their Jordanian sponsors residing in the Gulf countries or citizens of those countries to enter the Kingdom and obtain temporary residence for three months, facilitating visits by Jordanian expatriates and their families from the GCC. He urged those wishing to visit the Kingdom to make use of the electronic services offered by the ministry through its official website: emphasizing that these measures are part of ongoing efforts to enhance Jordan's position as a leading tourist and investment destination in the region. - Petra