15/05/2026

LYFE FRIDAY | MAY 15, 2026

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Novak poses next to a camel. – PICS FROM AFP

A Jordanian flag flies at the oval plaza at the ancient Roman ruins of Jerash.

Traditionally dressed Nabatean Guards in their uniforms hold spears at the Siq of Petra.

No peace, no tourists, no hope

U KRAINIAN tourist Ruslana Novak and her friend had Jordan’s ancient city of Petra almost entirely to themselves as they marvelled at the massive edifice carved into pink sandstone. Since the Middle East war erupted in late February, the famed Rose City has been all but abandoned by the usual crowds of tourists that flock to the site every year. “Of course, we heard about the war... It is not a problem because I am from Ukraine and we know about war,” Novak, an insurance agent, told AFP under a blazing sun. “This country is surrounded by countries that have war but Jordan is... very calm,” she said, describing it as safe and beautiful. Nearby, Mexican tourist Constanza Venian said she was delighted to avoid the usual crowds at the Unesco World Heritage site: “I was lucky I chose the right time.” Yet, she had considered cancelling her trip after Israel and the US launched their strikes against Iran, plunging the region into conflict. “I was afraid in the beginning but I was reading about Jordan and entered Facebook groups and asked questions... Everyone said Jordan is safe,” the 33-year-old said. At the site’s entrance, Khalid al Saidat and his fellow souvenir sellers killed time in front of their stalls, cigarettes dangling from their lips. The donkeys and horses usually popular with tourists also stood idle. The site embodied “the collapse of tourism” in Jordan, the 36-year-old shop owner. While “the war in Gaza had led to an 80% to 90% drop in tourism”, the Iran conflict drastically reduced the number of foreign visitors to “almost zero.” “We open every day without knowing whether we’ll earn enough

‘No tourism anymore’ The situation is no different in Jerash, around 50km north of Amman. “We were hoping for the best season since 2020, after the pandemic but there’s no tourism anymore,” said local guide Amer Nizami. Some 5,000 foreign visitors used to flock to the site every day, the 47 year-old said. Today, they can be counted on one hand. A guide usually “does at least two tours a day during a good season. The last time I did a paid tour in Jerash was about 20 days ago,” he added. With every regional crisis, “tourism stops here, even though Jordan doesn’t have any problems,” Nizami said. Since the beginning of the war, drone and missile debris has fallen on the kingdom which does not host any foreign military bases but does have limited contingents from several countries under collective defence and cooperation agreements. Jordan’s army said 281 Iranian missiles and drones had been fired at the country from the war’s onset until the beginning of the April ceasefire – most of them intercepted. According to the national travel agency association, pre-war booking calendars were almost full but they emptied abruptly, plunging some 1,400 licensed guides into crisis. Given the lack of customers, souvenir seller Ibrahim al-Atmeh decided to pack up his wares earlier than usual. “We were hoping for an excellent spring season, but... our hopes are gone,” the 31-year-old said.

o Jordan’s ancient marvel Petra deserted since start of Mideast war

Tourists visit the Treasury in the ruins of the ancient Nabatean city of Petra.

war, which Sawair said had an immediate effect: The number of visitors to Petra in March and April dropped to between 28,000 and 30,000. The cancellations has even led some hotels to consider closing. The authorities have launched a scheme to boost local tourism but its impact remained “negligible”, Sawair said, as the sector depends above all on foreign tourist groups.

Beyond Petra, Jordan is home to many major sites, including the lunar landscapes of Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and the famed archeological site of Jerash. The year had begun well “with 112,000 foreign visitors in the first two months, which is very good,” said Adnan al-Sawair, the Petra tourism authority commissioners board chairman. But everything changed with the

to live on,” he said.

In free fall According to official figures, tourism accounts for 14% of Jordan’s gross domestic product, with 60,000 people directly employed in the sector while another 300,000 depend on it. Last year, more than seven million visitors generated US$7.8 billion (RM30.5 billion) in revenues.

London rooftop set to become star exhibit in new Beatles museum opening in 2027

THE London rooftop where The Beatles played their final impromptu gig will be immortalised by a new museum dedicated to the band which is due to open next year, reported Reuters. The Beatles at 3 Savile Row will give music fans the chance to explore the building where Let It Be was recorded. The former headquarters of their record company Apple Corps Ltd is to be converted into a shrine to the band.

told them to turn down the volume. “There are so many special memories within the walls, not to mention the rooftop,” McCartney said in a recent statement. As well as a recreation of the original studio where Let It Be was recorded, there will be material from Apple Corps’s archives and exhibitions, allowing fans to set foot in the building which forms part of their London story. “Wow, it’s like coming home,” Starr said in the statement.

Formed in Liverpool in 1960, The Beatles sold more than 600 million records worldwide, capturing the cultural upheaval of the era, influencing generations of artistes and creating a musical legacy that endures to this day. In 1969, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr played what turned out to be their farewell gig, performing Get Back and a number of other songs. Afterwards, the police arrived and

McCartney is one of the best-selling music artistes of all time. – REUTERSPIC