JITOA attends the first annual JTB Jordan Travelmart

Journalist and media representatives from these regions were also present.

22 out of 40 active and Associate members of JITOA, including inbound operators and hoteliers, held supplier booths at the convention.

'By explaining the professional activities of JITOA through the business-to-business meetings with the buyers, JITOA was able to demonstrate the high standards and better business practices of inbound tour operators that are so important to North and South American buyers,' says Awni Kawar, Chairman of JITOA.

'JITOA was also able to further support our members by marketing their services to the buyers.'

The Travelmart was an opportunity for Jordan suppliers to sell their products to North and South America buyers, as well as for North and South American travel agents, operators and journalists to become educated about Jordanian products and services and to begin promotional campaigns for their clients.

Attendants were also treated to lavish dinners at the Marriott, Movenpick and Intercontinental Hotels as well as seminars about the future of tourism in Jordan. His Excellency, PM Nader Al Dhahabi was present for the opening ceremony. As well, Her Excellency, Minister of Tourism Maha Al Khateeb and His Excellency, Senator Akel Biltaji attended the Travelmart for its entire three day duration.

JITOA was accommodated by the Dead Sea Spa Hotel during their time at the Travel Mart. The facility is equipped with amenities, from sea front views to spacious rooms, inviting pools and enticing spa treatments.

Throughout the convention, JITOA was able to make friends and business partners with organizations, operations and publications such as the World Religious Travelers Association, Travel Weekly and Imaginique Tours & Cruises.

'We are extremely excited about the initial stages of partnership we formed with the World Religious Travel Association at the Travelmart,' says Nizar AL Adarbeh, acting Executive Director of JITOA. 'The World Religious Travel Association has a similar mission to JITOA and both organizations will be able to work together to promote the Kingdom and its religious niche market and broaden our scope of exposure.'

JITOA believes that these new connections will help to expand promotion of its member's services to a wider market, participate in important and periodic information sharing and perhaps even to add valuable Associate Members to this growing association. These linkages will further strengthen the business community and help the inbound tour operators learn what standards are expected from tourists coming from these markets so that operators may participate in the training and capacity building necessary to truly improve the industry.

Besides a myriad of presentations, from seminars about 'voluntourism', Royal Jordanian, future projects by Key Note speakers, and highlights of Petra, Aqaba and Wadi Rum, attendants were able to participate in a panel discussion. This interactive session allowed representatives in the industry to discuss the challenges Jordan faces as a tourist destination and the proposed solutions to these challenges.

Issues were raised as to the psychological limitations of a Visa requirement, the benefits of promoting Jordan as a religious Niche, which type of tourist is most likely to travel to the region and why, and the best sources to invest money into in terms of advertising Jordan to North and South American travelers. Inbound operators also learned which areas of service could be improved and the best ways to appeal to travelers so far away and often uneducated about the area.

The Travelmart was a resounding success and the North and South American buyers seemed to be delighted by everything the Kingdom has to offer. A well-used phrase was 'Jordanian hospitality'. Buyers were eager to begin putting Jordan on their itineraries and selling Jordan to their clients. JITOA looks forward to all the doors the Travelmart has opened.