Jordan Riders Rally 2017 to kick off on April 27

AMMAN — The Jordan Riders Rally 2017 will start on April 27 under the patronage of HRH Prince Feisal, with the participation of 700 motorcycle riders from around the world. 

At a press conference held at the InterContinental Hotel, Tareq Tabbaa, president of the Jordan Riders group, said that Jordan Riders Rally 2017 was proud to contribute to tourism in the Kingdom.

“We are really excited to organise the rally for the fourth time,” he said, adding “in the past years, it has attracted a huge number of participants from around the world, who are positively contributing to the tourism sector in Jordan,” he said.

“This year’s route covers the central areas of Jordan on day one, moving along the airport road, past Jiza, and along the scenic backroads of the Madaba Governorate to Umm Ar-Rasas, and then returning via Al Hidan and Mount Nebo,” he explained.

According to Tabbaa, the day will end with an evening ride, organised by the riders’ group for the first time. 

On the second day, riders will head to the verdant north of Jordan, along winding roads through Jubeiha, past Jerash, to the King Talal Dam and Dibeen areas, then returning through Umm Rummana.

Issa Gammo, Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA) Secretary General, said motorcycling is playing a “big role” in the tourism sector, adding that the ministry will continue to support this event.

“The sport of motorcycling is becoming increasingly significant for tourism and travel. Jordan has become well known for its adventure tourism, along with its historical, educational, medical, faith-based, cultural and environmental tourism offering,” Gammo said. 

“According to international reports, Jordan’s adventure tourism offering is internationally competitive, and we are happy to continue supporting and promoting this activity and we will do everything needed to ensure the rally’s success,” he added.

Rally Director Mustafa Shaaban said: “We are really looking forward to our biggest rally yet. The feedback from last year was tremendously positive; participants from the Gulf region and nearby were overjoyed with the landscapes and scenery along the routes, and many couldn’t wait to return. That is reflected in the number of participants travelling to Jordan in a few weeks for the rally.”

Meanwhile, Royal Motorcycle Club of Jordan (RMCJ) chairman, Soud Soror, stated: “RMCJ is proud to have been a part of the success of last year’s rally, and the rise in the number of foreign participants is a great indication of the fantastic potential that Jordan has for motorcycle tourism.” 

“We have stunning routes and scenery, excellent support from the tourism police for maximum road safety and great cooperation from customs. We look forward to working with the concerned authorities on the motorcycle rental regulations to help boost this growing sport even more,” he added.

The event is sponsored by USAID, as part of a grant to RMCJ under its USAID Building Economic Sustainability through Tourism Project (BEST), aimed to facilitate RMCJ’s work in promoting Jordan as a regional motorcycle touristic destination. Zain, Manaseer, Hala and Bliss FM, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA) and the Jordan Tourism Board will also be sponsoring the rally.

The event, to be held between April 27 and 29, will conclude with a closing ceremony including a performance by popular Jordanian singer Omar Al Abdallat.