JTB launches new website marking Pope's visit

The Jordan Tourism Board, which created the multimedia website, said it is designed to commemorate this historic visit and pilgrimage and offer various information and news related to the Pope, to His itinerary, and to Jordan and its magnificent religious and touristic sites and locations.

JTB Managing Director Nayef al-Fayez expressed great happiness at launching the new website and said, "It was created to welcome His Holiness to the cradle of civilizations."

Al-Fayez said that from the dawn of history, numerous civilizations and cultures have left a priceless collection of thousands of archaeological treasures scattered throughout the country.

"Jordan is also the main theatre of landmark events in the history of the three great monotheistic religions, making it the home of dozens of locations which mark the lives and times of prophets, holy men, disciples, and followers," al-Fayez added.

The new JTB website has been launched in 6 languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Arabic.

The site has information on Pope Benedict XVI, as well as Pope John Paul II, who paid a special visit and pilgrimage to Jordan in 2000, during which he officially recognized the Baptism Site at Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan on the eastern banks of the River Jordan.

The Baptism Site, which will be visited by Pope Benedict XVI, is among the many religious sites in Jordan highlighted in the new website. The multimedia website also includes a video about Jordan as a biblical destination, and will offer a special live broadcast of the Pope's activities during the His visit from Jordan Television. Also available in the site is an animated photo gallery, the visit's official schedule, as well as news and press releases about the visit.