Meetings & Conference
First-ever Jordan Travelmart Takes Place
Dead Sea, Jordan (eTN) – The first ever Jordan Travelmart, held at the King Hussein Bil Talal Convention Center in Jordan, took place on February 11.
Delegates were welcomed by Jordanian Tourism Minister Maha Khatib. “I am indeed honored to welcome you today where we are meeting for the first time to exchange views and ideas that will help develop our tourism product and a solid base for future cooperation,” she said according to a report by eturbonews.com.
Employment-wise, more than 33,000 Jordanians are directly employed and another 120,000 are indirectly employed in the Jordan’s tourism industry, according to Jordanian Tourism Minister Khatib, the website said.
“Our vision is for tourism to steer ahead Jordan’s economic growth to maximize social and economic benefits,” minister added. “Our industry is the largest generator of foreign currency after commodity and exports.”
“Tourism contributed US$2.3 billion to the Jordanian economy in 2007,” the Jordanian tourism minister said. This is equivalent to a 14.4 percent contribution to this Middle East country’s gross domestic product, making tourism the second biggest industry.
Another reason for the Jordanian government’s renewed commitment to tourism is the industry’s being a key factor in sustainable development. “Tourism is the major source for sustainable economic growth for our country.”
Jordan boasts a history that is connected to both the Greek and Roman empires. Such influences are to this day evident as one would come to find on a sightseeing tour. “Jordan is land of the Old Testament and the birthplace of civilization,” said Minister Khatib.
From the Dead Sea, Mount Nebo and Jerusalem, both of which have biblical ties, are visible, making Jordan “the sunrise of faith,” according to Biltaji.
The Jordan Tourism Board has decided to create the three-day Jordan Travelmart event as part of an effort to “provide an opportunity for travel professionals from the USA, Canada and Latin America to learn about the wonders Jordan had to offer and experience its diversity.”
The North American market is reported to bring in the biggest business for Jordan—some 160,000 inbound travelers from North American visit Jordan annually. This is seen as a possible reason why why Royal Jordanian Airlines has increased its flight frequencies from the US and added a direct flight from Montreal, Canada.
Chitra Mogul
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025