jordan pulse -

Official preliminary data released by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities revealed that the ancient city of Jerash welcomed 100,362 visitors between January and July 2026. The total figure comprised 38,106 Jordanian nationals and 62,256 foreign tourists.
​The figures reflect a 14.7 percent year-on-year decline compared to the same period in 2025, during which the historical site recorded 117,701 visitors, including 44,817 Jordanians and 72,884 foreign nationals. A monthly breakdown indicates that February recorded the peak turnout for Jerash in 2026 with 27,279 visitors, whereas April was the highest-performing month in 2025, drawing 48,813 tourists.
​According to the Jordan Tourism Board, Jerash remains a central pillar of Jordan's cultural heritage, notably hosting the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts since its inception in 1981. Historically identified as Gerasa in early Greek and Semitic texts, the city was briefly named Antioch on the Golden River during the Seleucid era before reverting to Gerasa following Roman Emperor Hadrian's visit in 129 AD, while ancient Nabataean records referred to the settlement as Garshu.
​Source: Rum News Agency