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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Gisele Abrahao 703.243.7404 gisele@seejordan.org
Frank LaFleche 250 721-1955 frank@seejordan.org / flafleche@shaw.ca

GOOD NEWS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST: TOURISM ON RISE;
JORDAN TOURISM BOARD LAUNCHES 1ST JORDAN ROAD SHOW IN CANADA

Vancouver, B.C. (October 19, 2005) – Jordan tourism officials will hold workshops in several Canadian cities this fall in a two-tiered “Jordan-Canada Road Show” program that will educate eager travel executives as well as travel media on this magnificent destination. The program will begin October 27th in Vancouver.

“We have experienced a surge of inquiries over the past year from travel agents who have not previously sold Jordan as a destination or who would like fresh information on what we have to offer, so the time is ripe to personally connect with these agents to help them get better acquainted with our rich product offering and diversity,” said Malia Asfour, director of the Jordan Tourism Board, North America (JTBNA).

In May, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) released its 2005 Travel and Tourism Forecasts for the Middle East, which projected the rise in tourism to the region would continue climbing at a growth rate of 4.8%, leveling out after a phenomenal regional growth rate in 2004 of 9.1%. The WTTC forecast for Jordan expects tourism to “equal or exceed the robust level posted for 2004.” The news that tourists are discovering Jordan is good indeed for Jordanians, who know tourism is a vital component of their national economy.

In 2004, His Majesty King Abdullah outlined a national tourism strategy that seeks to double the kingdom’s tourism economy by 2010. Already, tourism contributes more than US$800 million to Jordan’s economy and accounts for about 10 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP).

For the first Jordan-Canada Road Show, JTBNA is bringing in, Ibrahim Abdelhaq, a Jordanian tour guide who will present his country to the audience. “Agents will experience a virtual tour of Jordan firsthand from one of our top guides,” said Gisele Abrahao, marketing manager of the Jordan Tourism Board, North America (JTBNA). “This will help them to get a much better feel for our various niche markets so that they can more knowledgeably and easily sell our product.”

Jordan’s major niche markets are cultural heritage (archaeology); religious; eco-tourism; health and wellness (spa); adventure; leisure; meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE); and cruising.

Road Show Schedule
October 2nd , Vancouver
October 04th Toronto
October 06th, Montreal

For more information or to participate in one of the road-show workshops, please contact Frank A. LaFleche - JTBNA Market Development Canada - at (250) 721-1955.
 

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