The spirit of Bedouin hospitality thrives in Jordan’s tourism renaissance

Hashem Zuwaydeh, a Bedouin tour guide in the desert of Wadi Rum in southern Jordan. (AN Photo/Tamara Turki)
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Updated 10 January 2024
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The spirit of Bedouin hospitality thrives in Jordan’s tourism renaissance

  • Leveraging their inherently friendly nature, Bedouins excel as tour operators, desert guides, camel handlers
  • Jordan’s $3bn tourism industry presents challenge of preserving cultural heritage amid commercialization

AMMAN: In the deserts of Jordan, Bedouin communities are finding new ways to open their homes to the world, bridging traditional hospitality with the economic opportunities of global tourism. Whereas Airbnb listings around the world range from spare couches to mansions, in southern Jordan, hopeful visitors might encounter just a cave.

Indeed, Imad, a 34-year-old local from Petra, has ventured into the digital age by listing his own cave on Airbnb. The ancient city attracts nearly a million visitors annually, and Imad says his peculiar real estate is fully booked during the high seasons.

During their stay, guests are treated to fresh tea and enjoy traditional dishes slow-cooked beneath the desert sands, while their warm and welcoming Bedouin host shares old tales by the campfire.

Imad explains that this profound sense of hospitality is “deeply ingrained in his DNA.” He told Arab News: “It is a trait that has been passed down by our ancestors and is a legacy of tribal life in the desert.”




A Bedouin local sits on a rocky cliff in the ancient city of Petra in southern Jordan. (AN Photo/Tamara Turki)

Bedouins in Jordan maintain a strong connection to their nomadic origins, tribal affiliations, and ancestral lands, with cultural heritage remaining a source of pride. Hospitality is a key pillar of the Bedouin ethos, a trait believed to have been forged by the unforgiving desert terrain.

“A Bedouin would open his home even to a stranger because he knew that in the desert, he would one day also seek refuge,” Hashem, a 29-year-old local and tour guide from Wadi Rum, told Arab News.

“Hospitality was about security and solidarity. This was long before there was anything called ‘police’ or ‘government.’ Our people looked out for each other,” he added.

For centuries, the desert’s Bedouin inhabitants maintained their traditional agricultural and pastoral way of life before Jordan experienced a surge of global tourism in the 1980s. As places like Petra and Wadi Rum — famed for their archaeological and natural marvels — transformed into popular travel destinations, traditional values of hospitality seamlessly merged with the growing need to cater to visitors.




Young Bedouins in Petra offering tourists a ride on their camels. (AN Photo/Tamara Turki)

Leveraging their intimate knowledge of the desert and inherently friendly nature, locals excel as tour operators, desert guides, camel handlers, and souvenir merchants, all while offering visitors an authentic Bedouin experience.

But navigating through Jordan’s $3 billion tourism industry has presented the local communities with the challenge of preserving their cultural heritage in a rapidly commercialized world.

Hashem underscores the centrality of hospitality in Bedouin culture, explaining that, in keeping with an age-old Arab custom, a host would refrain from asking his guest about his identity or reasons for his journey for the first three days.

Bedouin hospitality is exercised through the symbolic ritual of serving coffee. The offering of three distinct servings — al-dayf (for the guest), al-kayf (for pleasure), and al-sayf (for the sword) — solidifies the bond between host and guest, binding them in shared respect and defense.

Today’s visitor to a Bedouin’s doorstep is typically not stranded or in need. Instead, many have abandoned the hotel chains to experience a way of life that cherishes a connection with nature and is unburdened by the trappings of urbanism.

“A lot of foreigners tell me they prefer Bedouin life. The city is short-sighted. Here your eyes will relax because you see all this open space. You don’t look at the time. This is freedom of the desert,” Awad, a 21-year-old cameleer from Wadi Rum, said.

With hospitality as a marketable asset, the symbolic pact formed through coffee is being replaced with contractually binding sales for goods. This commodification of hospitality has stirred debate among local communities, given its stark contrast to the traditional values that reject transactional interactions.




Imad and Faisal sit down with Arab News to share their experiences with hosting tourists in their Petra cave-dwellings listed on Airbnb. (AN Photo/Tamara Turki)

“Some locals view hosting tourists for money as shameful and dirty work. It’s definitely something you have to get used to,” Faisal, who also listed his Petra cave-dwelling on Airbnb, told Arab News.

Another local, Mahmoud, said: “I’m against making hospitality a business; it makes me sad. These people exploit the name ‘Bedouin’ to make money.”

However, many others perceive it as a necessity in a changing world.

Tourism plays a vital role in Jordan’s economy as one of the top two sources of federal revenue. In desert regions like Wadi Rum and Petra, locals heavily rely on visitors for income.

“All the job opportunities in our region are predominantly in tourism. We don’t have industrial or financial industries, but Allah has blessed us with a beautiful area like this. So you have to excel in the field you’re given,” Hashem said.

While economic opportunities are reshaping certain practices, many, like Faisal, tread cautiously. For example, he draws the line at charging guests for meals, saying: “I would consider it very shameful if I made people pay for their food. Our hospitality comes from the heart.”




Fadi, a Bedouin from Wadi Rum, opens his tent to tourists where he offers complimentary tea and an array of souvenirs for sale. (AN Photo/Tamara Turki)

Fadi, who runs a bazaar in Wadi Rum, illustrates how to strike a balance between tradition and trade. He offers a warm drink to every visitor who enters his tent, regardless of whether they purchase any souvenirs.

“We leave these jars on the table for whoever would like to give a tip, but we never ask,” the 31-year-old explained.

Fadi says that locals, for the most part, are happy with the increased income and improved standard of living that tourism has brought to his tribe’s area. He also highlighted that the industry provides a platform to showcase their heritage to the world, with tourists embracing customs becoming a source of pride.

“We are here in Wadi Rum in the name of Jordan and the kingdom to serve everyone. If I am the face of tourism, I see this as an honorable thing,” he added.




Fadi's friends stop by his tent for a with a tourist they are hosting for the week in Wadi Rum. (AN Photo/Tamara Turki)

For many like Hashem, working in the tourism industry has also allowed them to feel connected to contemporary Jordanian society and a wider global network.

“I’ve made friends from all around the world. Any country I want to visit, I know someone who would welcome me into their home as I did with them,” the 29-year-old said.

However, amidst this global convergence, he voiced concerns about fading traditions. Hashem misses the times when daily gatherings and conversations around a fire were the norm.

“Today, a man might not know his neighbor. Everyone is busy working,” he said.

“Back in the day, the Bedouin didn’t care about money. He had his goats, and that was all he needed. But now, he has to think about how to keep up with modern-day life and how to pay for his children’s school and university tuition.

“Now when you call on someone and tell them you’re coming over, he’ll tell you he’s busy or ask you if you want something. It’s no longer out of love.

“Then I wish I never called to begin with because now he thinks I want something from him. I want nothing other than his good health and well-being.”

The southern Jordanian economy is challenged, with comparatively less services when compared to the capital, which houses more than 35 percent of the country’s population.

Therefore, tourism is not only a revolutionary factor but also one of the last surviving economic lifelines — a volatile one, regularly influenced by the turbulent political developments in the region.


Iranian combat drone crashes into restaurant in Jordan’s capital, Amman

Updated 23 June 2025
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Iranian combat drone crashes into restaurant in Jordan’s capital, Amman

  • Jordanian army says the Shahed 101 device had an explosive warhead but it did not detonate on impact
  • Residential buildings in Abu Nseir and Azraq were recently hit, and 27 intact drones with explosive payloads crashed in uninhabited parts of the country

LONDON: An Iranian Shahed 101 combat drone crashed into a building in the Umm Uthaina area of Jordan’s capital, Amman, on Monday.

Brig. Gen. Mustafa Hyari, a spokesperson for the Jordanian army, said the drone had an explosive warhead but did not detonate on impact when it hit the patio of a restaurant in Umm Uthaina. There were no injuries and military engineers dismantled the device.

Recently, two drones struck residential buildings in Abu Nseir and Azraq, he said, and 27 intact drones with explosive payloads crashed in uninhabited parts of the country. In addition, hundreds of drone and missile parts fell onto Jordanian territory, Hyari added, but did not cause significant damage or serious injuries. He urged Jordanians to seek shelter when sirens sound, the Jordan News Agency reported.

Tensions have been rising in the region since a conflict between Israel and Iran began on June 13, sparking fears of a full-scale war across the Middle East. The two countries have continued to exchange attacks since then, and the situation escalated on Sunday when the US carried out airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites.


Six Iranian missiles headed for Al-Udeid US base in Qatar intercepted

Updated 7 min 51 sec ago
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Six Iranian missiles headed for Al-Udeid US base in Qatar intercepted

  • Sirens sound in Manama, Bahrain interior ministry urges people to remain calm and head to nearest safe space
  • Qatar condemns attack, calling it “flagrant violation” of sovereignty
  • UAE “closely monitoring ongoing regional developments” and “continuously assessing the situation”

DOHA: Iran confirmed it launched missile attacks Monday on US military bases in Qatar and Iraq, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites and escalating tensions in the volatile region, state media said.

Iran launched six missiles toward Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, as the sound of several explosions were heard over Doha.

The announcement was made on state television as martial music played. A caption on the screen called it “a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression.”

Qatar said it “successfully intercepted” missiles targeting the US base, and added it reserved the right to respond directly and in accordance with international law following the strikes.

It said it condemned the attack, calling it a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty.

“We express the State of Qatar’s strong condemnation of the attack on Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and consider it a flagrant violation of the State of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace, as well as of international law,” foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said in a statement.

*** READ SAUDI ARABIA'S CONDEMNATION HERE ***

The Gulf nation had announced earlier Monday it had closed its air space temporarily to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. Also on Monday, the US embassy in Qatar had advised Americans to shelter in place, out of what it said was “an abundance of caution.”

The US confirmed its air base in Qatar was targeted by missile attack from Iran and said no casualties were reported

“The White House and the Department of Defense are aware of, and closely monitoring, potential threats to Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar,” a senior White House official said.

Bahrain said sirens sounded in Manama with citizens and residents were urged to remain calm and head to nearest safe place, according to the Interior Ministry.

The interior ministry affirmed that these measures were part of Bahrain’s proactive efforts to safeguard public safety and ensure efficient emergency response.

Bahrain also suspended air traffic temporarily on Monday.

“The Civil Aviation Affairs of the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications announced the temporary suspension of air navigation in the skies of the Kingdom of Bahrain as a precautionary measure in light of recent regional developments,” said a statement carried by the official Bahrain News Agency.

Kuwait Airways, in a post on X, said departure flights had been suspended due to the regional developments.

Kuwait's civil aviation body issued a statement, saying: “The country's airspace has been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure, starting today and until further notice. The decision comes within the framework of maintaining the highest levels of safety and security in light of regional developments.”

The UAE said it was closely monitoring the ongoing regional developments and was continuously assessing the situation, a government spokesperson said.

“This approach froms part of the UAE's interegrated national framework for emergency and crisis management, which prioritizses public safety and the continuity of operations across all sectors,” the spokesperson added. 

UAE airspace had also been closed, according to flight path data and air traffic control audio cited by FlightRadar.


European Commission allocates $230 million to support Palestinians

Updated 23 June 2025
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European Commission allocates $230 million to support Palestinians

  • UNRWA to receive €52 million ($58 million) to support its education, healthcare, and relief services for Palestinian refugees
  • Dubravka Suica, commissioner for the Mediterranean, said: ‘Our support to the Palestinian people remains steadfast’

LONDON: The European Commission announced on Monday that it has allocated $230 million to support the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the Palestinian Authority.

On Monday, the commission announced that it had allocated €150 million ($172 million) to the PA to ensure the delivery of essential public services, including payment of salaries for teachers, civil servants, and healthcare workers. This financial support is contingent upon the implementation of the reform agenda, it added.

UNRWA received €52 million ($58 million) to support its education, healthcare, and relief services for Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Since late 2023, UNRWA has been crucial in providing aid and shelter to millions of Palestinians in Gaza amid ongoing Israeli attacks, some of which targeted UN staff and UNRWA facilities.

Dubravka Suica, the commissioner for the Mediterranean, said: “Our support to the Palestinian people remains steadfast.

“With this (first) disbursement of €202 million to the Palestinian Authority and the UN Agency UNRWA, we reaffirm our unwavering political and financial commitment,” she added.

The funds are part of the commission’s Palestine Recovery and Resilience program for 2025-2026, amounting to up to €1.6 billion ($1.84 billion), in which the EU reaffirmed its support for the Palestinian people and its commitment to a two-state solution, as announced in April during the EU-Palestinian Authority high-level political dialogue.

“The EU is deeply concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the worsening conditions in the West Bank. We remain firmly committed to a just and lasting peace, grounded in a negotiated two-state solution,” Suica added.


Syria interior ministry announces arrests over Damascus church attack

Updated 23 June 2025
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Syria interior ministry announces arrests over Damascus church attack

  • The shooting and suicide bombing Sunday at the church in the working-class Dwelaa district of the Syrian capital killed 25 people and wounded 63

DAMASCUS: Syrian leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa vowed Monday that those involved in a “heinous” suicide attack on a Damascus church would face justice, as he called for unity in the diverse, multi-faith country.

The shooting and suicide bombing Sunday at the church in the working-class Dwelaa district of the Syrian capital killed 25 people and wounded 63, the health ministry said.

Syria’s interior ministry said Monday that authorities had arrested several suspects in connection with the suicide attack, with the minister saying the operation targeted cells affiliated with the Daesh group.

A ministry statement reported the arrest of “a number of criminals involved in the attack” during a security operation near Damascus, while Interior Minister Anas Khattab said the operation targeted “positions of terrorist cells linked to the Daesh group.”

Daesh has not yet claimed the attack.

“We promise... that we will work night and day, mobilizing all our specialized security agencies, to capture all those who participated in and planned this heinous crime and bring them to justice,” interim President Sharaa said in a statement.

The attack follows incidents of sectarian violence in recent months, with security one of the greatest challenges for the new authorities.

The attack “reminds us of the importance of solidarity, and unity of the government and the people in facing all that threatens our nation’s security and stability,” Sharaa said.

The spokesman for Antonio Guterres said the UN Secretary-General strongly condemned the attack and expressed his “deepest condolences” to the families of the victims and wishes a swift recovery to those injured.

He added that Guterres said that all perpetrators of terrorism must be held accountable, and called for a full investigation.

“The Secretary-General reaffirms the commitment of the United Nations to supporting the Syrian people in their pursuit of peace, dignity, and justice,” the statement added.

The attack was the first suicide bombing in a church in Syria since the country’s civil war erupted in 2011, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor.

It was also the first attack of its kind in the Syrian capital since Assad’s ouster.

A prayer service at the church is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (1500 GMT).

Since the new authorities took power, the international community has repeatedly urged them to protect minorities and ensure their participation in Syria’s transition, particularly after the recent violence.

Interior ministry spokesman Noureddine Al-Baba said Sunday that “the security of places of worship is a red line, and all efforts will be made to ensure people’s freedom to perform their religious rites.”Daesh “aims to sow sectarian division and incite all components of Syrian society to take up arms, seeking to show that the Syrian state is unable to protect its communities and citizens,” he told a press conference.

The top cleric of Syria’s Sunni Muslim majority, Grand Mufti Osama Al-Rifai, condemned acts of violence and terrorism in a statement Monday.

“We express our complete rejection of targeting places of worship and terrorizing believers,” he said.

Foreign condemnation of the attack continued to roll in on Monday.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkiye would not allow extremists to drag Syria back into chaos and instability, vowing that Turkiye would “continue to support the Syrian government’s fight against terrorism.”

Turkiye, which is close to the new authorities, has repeatedly offered its operational and military support to fight Daesh and other militant threats.

French President Emmanuel Macron also denounced the “horrible” attack, while the EU said it “stands in solidarity” with Syria in combating ethnic and religious violence.

“It is a grave reminder of the need to intensify efforts against the terrorist threat and to ensure the enduring defeat of Daesh and other terrorist organizations,” spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said.

Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed anger after the attack on the Greek Orthodox Church, calling on the new authorities “to take concrete measures to protect all ethnic and religious minorities.”

Syria’s Christian community has shrunk from around one million before the war to fewer than 300,000 due to waves of displacement and emigration.

Daesh seized large swathes of Syrian and Iraqi territory in the early years of the civil war, declaring a cross-border “caliphate” in 2014.

The militants were territorially defeated in Syria 2019 but have maintained a presence, particularly in the country’s vast desert.


Jordanian king, Omani sultan discuss Iran-Israel conflict, call for peaceful dialogue

Updated 23 June 2025
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Jordanian king, Omani sultan discuss Iran-Israel conflict, call for peaceful dialogue

  • They stressed the need to intensify coordination to extinguish the fires of conflict in Gaza and between Israel and Iran
  • King Abdullah emphasized that peace in the region cannot be achieved without a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue

LONDON: Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman and King Abdullah II of Jordan discussed the Iran-Israel conflict and the serious repercussions of the escalation of tensions in the region.

During a call on Monday, they stressed the need to intensify coordination to extinguish the fires of conflict in the Gaza Strip and the ongoing tensions resulting from Israeli actions against Iran, the Oman News Agency reported.

They also called for peaceful dialogue and negotiation to find political solutions to regional issues that align with international law, ensuring security and stability, the ONA added.

King Abdullah emphasized that peace in the region cannot be achieved without a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue based on a two-state solution, the Petra news agency reported.

The Iran-Israel conflict has escalated following US strikes on three nuclear sites inside Iran on Sunday. Tel Aviv and Tehran have exchanged attacks over the past 11 days, risking a full-scale war in the Middle East.