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U.S. Tour Operators, Travel Agents,Incentive Team, and Travel Writers
Visit Jordan in First 2 Months of 2001

WASHINGTON, DC (Mar. 14, 2001) -- The Kingdom of Jordan welcomed four major North American travel trade and media groups in the first 60 days of 2001 in an effort to demonstrate that Jordan today is a safe and secure destination for tourists from the United States and Canada.

The Jordan Tourism Board North America (JTBNA) hosted a meeting planner inspection team, the U.S. Tour Operators Association's (USTOA) Out-of-Country workshop, an International Council of Travel Agents' (ICTA) Education on Location Program and a press trip of U.S. travel writers and producers during January and February.

“The interest in Jordan is very much alive and these groups are testimony that the destination is exciting as well as safe,” said Malia Asfour, director of JTBNA. “We will work with the journalists in increasing awareness to North America travel consumers while working with the tour operators and travel agents to develop extended Jordan tour packages.”

Each group spent one week touring throughout the kingdom with special attention to their interests and focus. The meeting planners experienced a lunch in Kerak castle's underground meeting chambers while USTOA board members were impressed with Taybet Zaman's historic village. USTOA board members also enjoyed breakfasting with Bedouins at breathtaking Wadi Rum and a day of luxury at the Dead Sea Spa.  All trade groups inspected Jordan's new and recently renovated hotels and facilities.

The U.S. Tour Operator s visit February 2-9 included 11 USTOA board members and their spouses, representing top management of major operators such as General Tours, Tauck World Discovery, Travcoa, Sunny Land Tours, and American Express.  Bob Whitley, USTOA president, led the delegation and moderated a workshop for over 75 Jordan destination management companies and hotels at the end of the visit.  Most USTOA panelists agreed that the visit exceeded their expectations and stressed that more awareness is needed in the North America market. 

Whitley said, “The results of this experience have been extremely positive.  We are going to tell the American travel industry that despite problems in the region, Jordan is a safe destination.”

Twelve Certified Travel Counselors, many of them principals of their travel agencies, participated in the ICTA Education on Location trip to Jordan February 9-16.  They reported that their expectations were exceeded with what they saw in the kingdom.

The meeting planner's inspection group visited Jordan in January.  “We were extremely impressed by what Jordan had to offer,” said Audrey Bird, leader of the site inspection team. “Besides the wonderfully amazing archaeological and historical sites such as Petra, Wadi Rum and Jerash, there are equally magnificent hotels with professional staff and high tech facilities to match.”

JTBNA is continuing an aggressive North America outreach program with upcoming Incentive Workshops in Minneapolis and St. Louis, as well as trade workshops with regional countries, religious press and familiarization trips.

For more information on JTBNA travel industry activities, contact JTBNA toll-free at 1-877-seejordan (733-5673) or email to seejordan@aol.com

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