Second Jordan Travel Mart opens at Dead Sea

Deputizing for Her Majesty Queen Rania, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Maha al-Khateeb noted that in 2004 Jordan had launched the National Tourism Strategy, which stipulated doubling tourism receipts by the year 2010.

She said:

"Today, I am proud to say that we have surpassed that goal and we are in the process of updating our strategy to set new goals."

Mrs. Al-Khateeb said with the relentless efforts of the Jordan Tourism Board, 2008 was one of the best years to date. She added, "It was characterized by impressive increases in tourist numbers from the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil."

Addressing the JTM's opening session, Jordan Tourism Board Managing Director Nayef al-Fayez stressed the importance of the American markets, and said visitors from many South and North American countries have had a unique opportunity to enjoy a variety of experiences the Kingdom had to offer.

Al-Fayez said the Jordan Tourism Board is looking at expanding its geographical representation to include China, India, and South America.

He said, "The potential of South America is great," and it is important to say that 30% of our JTM buyers represent this market.

The three-day event builds on the great success of the first Mart, and includes seminars, workshops, "networking" events, and pre-scheduled appointments, as well as a variety of extensive pre- and post-event tours.

This year's Jordan Travel Mart seminars focus on the Adventure Travel segment of the Industry. National Geographic Adventure Magazine, The Adventure Travel & Tourism Association and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) will conduct a special "Adventure Travel" seminar.

25 international travel industry journalists from the Americas, including reporters from USA Today and the National Geographic, are attending the event and will travel on specially planned tours of selected destinations.

The Jordan Travel Mart is held with the sponsorship of the Kempinski, Marriott, and Moevenpick resorts at the Dead Sea, Royal Jordanian, the Airport International Group (AIG), Jordan Express Tourist Transport Company (JETT), the Jordan Hotel Association (JHA), the Jordan Restaurant Association (JRA), the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), The Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA), and the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center, the Greater Amman Municipality, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, and USAID- Tourism Development Design. Media Sponsors include the Performance Media Group (PMG) and Baxter Travel Media.