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Jordan's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Named
Travel Agent Magazine's Middle East ‘Person of the Year'

WASHINGTON, DC (Jan. 3, 2001) – His Excellency Akel Biltaji, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan since 1997, has been named Middle East Person of the Year by Travel Agent magazine in its January 1 issue.

The national newsweekly of the travel industry said, “Since assuming his post, Biltaji has spearheaded several initiatives to boost tourism to Jordan and help the nation compete with more traditional Middle Eastern destinations, such as Egypt and Israel.”

During the first years in his position, Minister Biltaji developed an Economic Prosperity through Sustainable Tourism Development vision statement for the tourism industry in Jordan.  As host for the Global Summit on Peace through Tourism last November, Minister Biltaji brought together leaders of the travel industry from around the world in an effort to promote tourism as an avenue of peace.

As chairman of the Jordan Tourism Board, Biltaji launched an extensive marketing program at the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) World Congress in October 1998 in Los Angeles to attract North American visitors to Jordan. The program has included a consumer awareness ad campaign, bi-monthly newsletters, press trips, tour operator familiarization trips and segmented marketing promotions.

In 2000, Biltaji's office played a major role in coordinating the visit of Pope John Paul II to Jordan and in promoting Jordan's numerous Christian sites to the religious travelers. Throughout the year, Jordan welcomed several holy pilgrimages that were designated by the Vatican for the Jubilee year. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world headed toward Jordan to visit sites ranging from the baptism site of Jesus to the ministry of Elijah.

Minister Biltaji has been decorated by the late King Hussein three times and has been recognized by several countries including Austria, France, Japan and Spain for his efforts to promote tourism.

Travel Agent, one of the most widely read travel industry magazines, selects winner of its People of the Year awards each December after reporters and editors nominate individuals who have had the most positive impact on their industry segment over the past year. 

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