Jordan offers financial incentive to UK operators
Jordan is offering a financial guarantee to UK tour operators in an attempt to encourage them to offer packages to the destination.
It has launched a new Charter Support Programme which will cover the cost of empty seats on charter flights providing the operator meets various criteria, including running at least 16 direct flights over a four month and an average of one flight a week.
If aircraft are operating 50% to 70% empty, the tourist board will cover the cost of the unsold seats for holidays of seven nights or more.
The total cost of support per flights is capped at US$70,000.
In a statement, the JTB said: "These conditions are in place in order to increase the number of tourists coming to Jordan through charter flight operations.
"Tourism entities wishing to take advantage of the Charter Support Programme are urged to contact Jordan Tourism Board as soon as possible in order to start the process."
Jordan’s tourism industry has been hit by the Arab Spring and from the war in neighbouring Syria. It has also been damaged by easyJet’s decision to axe its flights from London in 2013, just two years after the launch.
However, boosting tourism numbers is a priority for the government, which has come up with the latest plan to entice UK operators.
Stephen Hurp, Jordan Tourism Board UK director said: "This is further evidence of the ongoing commercial support that Jordan Tourism Board is making available to help the UK trade develop their product and sales.
"Aqaba is a wonderful hub for UK visitors; world-class hotels and the wonders of the Red Sea corals are on your doorstep, the desert landscapes of Wadi Rum are just an hour away and the rose red city of Petra is only another 45 minutes…all just a five hour flight from the UK."
Tourism entities wishing to take advantage of the Charter Support Programme should contact Hurp at [email protected].
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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