Queen visits Ajloun Forest Reserve, meets founders of Sawwah platform

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania visited the governorate of Ajloun, on Monday, to learn about the touristic experiences offered by Reef Spring Resorts and the Ajloun Forest Reserve through the sustainable tourism platform Sawwah.

At Ajloun Forest Reserve, where Her Majesty was welcomed by Manager Othman Tawalbeh, and Tourism Manager, Qais Shawashra, she explored the hiking trail and stopped by the Nature Shop to view products made by local community members, according to a statement from Her Majesty’s office.

Her Majesty also participated in a number of local experiences, including traditional pottery-making, sumac-making, honey extraction and recycling. 

At the Reef Springs Resort, a family home that doubles as a restaurant,  the Queen toured the garden and learned about its indigenous plants. She also participated in making traditional thyme.

While there, the queen also met with members of Sawwah, an online platform that aims to help tourists find and participate in traditional Jordanian experiences, discussing with CEO, Sahar Barqawi, the platform’s efforts in promoting sustainable tourism. 

The platform, which consists of an online website and mobile application, connects travelers with authentic cultural experiences provided by micro and small service providers within Jordanian communities. Sawwah supports local community members by creating an additional source of income for those who open their homes to tourists and share their heritage with them.