Established in 2005, Al Athar has become a leading Jordanian DMC specializing in responsible, Halal-friendly tourism—combining innovation, ethical practice, and more than two decades of proven expertise.
Founded on January 4, 2005, Al Athar emerged as a visionary initiative by three young Jordanian entrepreneurs: Bashar Habannakeh, Mohammad Nobani & the current owner, Tareq Al Akkari—a distinguished travel professional since 1994. With a deep passion for responsible tourism, Al Athar was established to provide travel experiences that honor local culture, support communities, and reflect the principles of Islamic teachings. The name “Al Athar,” meaning “The Lasting Impression,” embodies the essence of meaningful journeys that leave a profound impact.
From its inception, Al Athar introduced innovative tourism experiences tailored to align with Islamic values. In 2005, the company revolutionized local travel by curating immersive tours to Wadi Rum, integrating elements such as Nasheed, Qiyam, and renowned international speakers to enrich the experience. Expanding its vision, Al Athar became the first travel company in Jordan to organize explorations of the pristine natural cave in Bergesh, offering unique outdoor experiences for Jordanian families.
The company further extended its services to local school trips and experiential youth programs, attracting groups from the Gulf, particularly from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. These programs blended adventure with character-building experiences in Jordan’s breathtaking nature reserves.
To enhance its capabilities, Al Athar became an accredited IATA member in 2006 (No. 4021140), enabling it to design and deliver premium Umrah packages that incorporated enriching on-site learning experiences in Makkah and Madinah.
By 2008, Al Athar disrupted the Jordanian travel industry by pioneering organized group tours for Jordanians to Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem’s historic old city. This groundbreaking initiative led other travel agencies in Jordan to follow suit, further expanding religious tourism offerings.
Following its participation in the Jordan Travel Mart (2009-2010), Al Athar gained significant global recognition, fostering collaborations with tour operators from Canada, Europe, the Gulf region, and the Far East. The company specialized in crafting historical tours that provided visitors with authentic insights into Jordan’s rich heritage.
Al Athar has always prioritized social responsibility. In 2011, the company, in collaboration with the Jordan Society for Travel Agents (JSTA), organized familiarization (Fam) trips for Jordanian travel agents to underexplored destinations, promoting tourism in under-utilized destinations of Jordan like: Tafileh, Finan, Humaimah & Shoubak.
The company’s dedication to diversifying tourism led to its participation in Jordan’s first Medical Tourism Conference in 2012, where it facilitated healthcare travel for Gulf clients, ensuring seamless medical arrangements alongside leisure experiences.
Recognizing its contributions, JSTA honored Al Athar with the Excellence Award in Tourism in 2015 for its role in Fam Trip development and local tourism promotion. That same year, Al Athar became a member of CrescentRating and showcased its services at the World Halal Travel Summit & Exhibition in Abu Dhabi and Konya, further solidifying its presence in the Halal travel sector.
In 2016, Al Athar embarked on an extensive European roadshow, promoting Umrah Plus programs across the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, and Turkey. The company also expanded its service portfolio in 2020 by obtaining the Corporate Meeting Planning Certificate from the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), enabling it to provide small-scale, high-quality meeting services.
Dedicated to ethical tourism, Al Athar joined the CBI support program in 2021, reinforcing its adherence to internationally recognized sustainability practices and compliance with Jordanian and European data protection laws.
In 2024, Al Athar’s unwavering commitment to sustainability earned it the Travelife Partner Certification—a prestigious recognition for compliance with over 100 criteria related to sustainability management, responsible operations, supplier collaboration, and customer communication. Travelife is the leading global certification scheme for sustainable tour operators and travel agencies.
With nearly two decades of expertise, Al Athar stands as a beacon of excellence in Responsible Destination Management. The company continues to innovate, expand, and lead in providing Responsible, Historical & faith-based travel experiences. Through strategic partnerships, unwavering professionalism, and a commitment to sustainability, Al Athar is shaping the future of ethical and immersive tourism worldwide.
With over 30 years in tourism, Tareq Al Akkari leads Al Athar with integrity and vision, pioneering Responsible and Halal travel while empowering others through training, sustainability, and ethical leadership.
With over three decades of dedication to the travel and tourism industry, MR. Tareq Al Akkari is a leading expert in Responsible tourism and a passionate advocate for sustainable travel experiences. His journey began in 1994 at Golden Holiday Tours, where he meticulously built his expertise from the ground up, starting in reservations and operations before rising to the role of Technical Manager. His commitment to excellence and attention to detail, inspired by his esteemed mentor MS. Hala Nassar, set the foundation for his career.
In 2005, driven by his deep passion for ethical and faith-based tourism, Tareq co-founded Al Athar with two fellow Jordanian entrepreneurs. As a Partner and Technical Manager, he played a key role in shaping the company’s vision and pioneering innovative Responsible tourism experiences. By 2009, he assumed the position of General Manager, and in 2022, he became the sole Owner of Al Athar, solidifying its status as a trusted leader in Responsible Destination Management.
Under his leadership, Al Athar introduced groundbreaking travel experiences, including faith-inspired tours, Umrah Plus programs, and spiritual retreats, setting new benchmarks for the Cultural/Historical, Religious & Halal travel industry. His ability to design tailor-made experiences for international markets—from Europe to the Gulf—demonstrates his exceptional expertise in destination management.
Beyond his tourism achievements, Tareq is a certified trainer and mentor, actively involved in empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. As a National Master Trainer for the UNCTAD Empretec Program, he has conducted over 50 workshops across Jordan, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, focusing on essential skills such as goal setting, systematic planning, and leadership development. He also contributes to national youth initiatives like the INHAD program, where he guides aspiring business leaders towards success.
A lifelong learner, Tareq continuously refines his skills through specialized training in sustainability, digital marketing, corporate meeting planning, and crisis management. His unwavering integrity, professional ethics, and commitment to excellence make him a respected figure in the industry and a trusted partner in the world of Responsible Travel & Halal travel.
At Al Athar, Tareq’s vision extends beyond business—he is dedicated to building sustainable, community-driven tourism that enriches lives and upholds the values of genuine hospitality. With a reputation for honesty, professionalism, and innovation, he leads Al Athar towards a future where Halal tourism thrives globally.
At Al Athar, our difference lies in how we serve—with care, consistency, and purpose. We combine expertise, values, and partnership to deliver meaningful, reliable, and inclusive travel experiences across Jordan and beyond.
Your time is valuable – and you expect flawless service. That’s why we deliver custom proposals within 24 hours, provide 24/7 global support, and operate with transparency and precision every step of the way. For over 20 years, our clients have trusted us to deliver flawlessly, whether managing a single VIP booking or a complex multi-group program. With AL ATHAR, you gain a trusted local partner dedicated to your success – whether you’re planning your next adventure or growing your business.
We go beyond sightseeing, creating moments that connect travelers with the real Jordan. Explore Islamic heritage sites, meet local communities, join cultural workshops, or follow Prophetic trails — with optional Halal-focused elements for those who seek them. Every itinerary is flexible, inclusive, and designed to inspire curiosity, reflection, and connection.
With over two decades of experience, AL ATHAR designs journeys for a wide spectrum of travellers – from cultural explorers to those seeking Halal-friendly experiences. Our expertise includes integrating Halal travel elements such as quality-assured dining, prayer-friendly arrangements, and culturally respectful activities into itineraries that remain flexible and inclusive. This approach ensures your clients – whatever their background – enjoy seamless, authentic, and worry-free travel in Jordan.
We deliver competitive rates paired with high service standards through our trusted local network. Whether you’re booking your own trip or designing packages for clients, we tailor pricing to fit your needs – net rates, markups, or commissions. With AL ATHAR, you get great value, exceptional experiences, and the flexibility to achieve your goals.
With our international Travelife Partner award and recognition, we comply with over 100 international sustainability criteria, guided by universal values of stewardship and social responsibility that resonate across all cultures and faiths. Our Travel with Purpose program ensures all our clients’ trips create a positive impact – for Jordan, for its people, and for the planet.
Guided by values and purpose, Al Athar strives to lead Halal tourism in Jordan—offering innovative, high-quality travel experiences that create lasting impact for travelers, communities, and the environment.
the company number one in Jordan when it comes to designing and providing top quality tourism services in Halal Tourism
to leave a lasting positive impact and create a unique mark on both our clients and work environment. We strive to stand out by offering exceptional, innovative, and high-quality travel solutions, specializing in premier HALAL tourism packages. Guided by a dedicated team and empowered by advanced IT solutions, our aim is to lead in our industry, setting the standard in service excellence and distinctiveness
Our mission is to make a positive effect on all our stakeholders and on the environment by providing innovative unique Halal Travel Experiences with international standards of quality based on our values of enhancing sustainability in our society through honesty, truthfulness, love, and support to the local community and environment as a whole.
At Al Athar, responsibility is not an addition—it’s our foundation. We turn values into action through sustainable travel, community support, and ethical practices that create genuine, lasting impact for people and place.
At Al Athar, we embed sustainability into every experience—supporting local communities, protecting culture, and respecting the environment. Explore our full Sustainability Policy, Purchase Recommendations, and Children’s Rights guidelines, all available for download to our valued partners and guests.
We safeguard your personal data with integrity and transparency, fully complying with Jordanian law and the EU’s GDPR standards. Discover our complete Data Protection Policy, available for download, to learn how Al Athar ensures privacy at every step.
At Al Athar, we believe that running a responsible business means giving back to the community that shapes and supports us. Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not just a concept—it’s a commitment we live by. We aim to create real, positive impact through knowledge sharing, community support, and capacity building, especially within the tourism sector.
As part of our CSR mission, we currently focus on providing free training to empower individuals and support our tourism ecosystem. We believe that when we share what we know, we all grow stronger together.
Our CSR efforts are rooted in a deep desire to uplift our local community and contribute meaningfully to our industry. If you think we can help you or your organization grow, we’d love to hear from you.
If you’re interested in any of our free training opportunities, please send us an e-mail. We’ll review your request and get in touch to explore how we can support your goals.
At Al Athar Travel, we value the voices of our professional partners and travelers alike. Their testimonials reflect the trust, care, and purpose guiding every journey we design, inspiring meaningful, responsible, and unforgettable experiences
At Al Athar For Travel & Tourism, we believe that meaningful travel starts with meaningful people. Our work is rooted in values that reflect the Halal lifestyle, ethical conduct, sustainability, and a genuine spirit of service. If you are someone who is passionate about creating purposeful journeys and serving from the heart, we welcome you to explore how you can become part of our growing story.
With over 20 years of experience, we at Al Athar Travel, collaborate with travel professionals and independent explorers to create meaningful, culturally immersive experiences across Jordan, Palestine & Saudi Arabia.
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