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WORLD'S LARGEST TRAVEL GROUP MEETS IN AMMAN
U.S. Travel Association Leaders Enthusiastic about Jordan
AMMAN (Feb. 2, 2005) – The American Society of Travel
Agents (ASTA), the world's largest association of travel professionals,
will hold its annual ASTA Chapter Presidents Meeting in Jordan,
Feb. 4-5, at the Marriott Hotel here in Amman.
"Tourism in Jordan is ready for a rebirth" stated
William A Maloney, CTC, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of the American Society of Travel Agents, in Amman today.
Maloney is leading a delegation of ASTA Chapter Presidents from
around the USA. Their bi-annual meeting is being held in the
Kingdom this year at the invitation of the JTB. The group of
40 travel professionals has been in the Kingdom for 6 days visiting
the major tourism attractions. It was the first visit for the
majority of the delegates who raved about the country and its'
tourism potential. Maloney noted that the welcome received from
the people coupled with the magnificent sites, high quality facilities
and warm atmosphere makes Jordan a must see for American travelers. "The
challenge for JTB, the local ASTA Chapter and ASTA" is to
develop plans which will create increased and immediate awareness
among potential American travelers, to overcome incorrect perceptions
about travel to the Kingdom"
The six-day tour of the Kingdom, included religious destinations
such as Mount Nebo and Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan, as well as
Petra, the ancient rose-red city designated a UNESCO world heritage
site and the eighth wonder of the world. ASTA Jordanian International
Chapter President, Mr. Basim Mubarak, was instrumental in inviting
his American counterparts to tour and conduct their annual meeting
in a place popular for centuries as a welcoming oasis and crossroad
of culture. The Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) and Jordan Tourism
Board North America (JTBNA) organized and facilitated the trip
for their American colleagues.
“This is an excellent opportunity for leading American travel
professionals to experience the culture of Jordan firsthand and
to network with their Jordanian counterparts,” said Mazen Homoud. “Already,
we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants,
some of whom have never traveled to Jordan or experienced our
hospitality, and expect this can only enhance Jordan's already
positive profile among U.S. travel groups.”
The mission of ASTA and its affiliated organizations is to enhance
the professionalism and profitability of members worldwide through
effective representation in industry and government affairs,
education and training, and by identifying and meeting the needs
of the traveling public.
ASTA has 20,000-plus members that include travel agents and the
companies whose products they sell, such as tours, cruises, hotels,
and car rentals. ASTA members organize travel to destinations in
approximately 140 countries around the world. The ASTA consists
of 32 Chapters that organize their members in different areas of
the USA. ASTA has reported that international airline passenger
travel grew 15.3 percent in 2004 over the previous year, a positive
sign that global travel is rebounding from the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks
and the 2003 SARS health scare. Travel to Jordan from the North
American market has mirrored this trend, and travel officials here
are working to ensure that this surge in individual and group travel
to Jordan will continue.
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