On Site at the 3rd Annual Jordan Travel Mart
February 24, 2010 By: Mary Winston Nicklin
The Jordan Travel Mart kicked off today at the King Hussein Convention Center by the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Comprised of presentations, hosted meals, panel discussions, and pre-scheduled business appointments between North and South American buyers and qualified suppliers, the two-day event provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the the many touristic opportunities that Jordan has to offer. The United States continues to be the number one inbound market; tourism contributes 13% of the country's GDP.
Our second pre-event tour with the JTBNA has only confirmed our belief that this safe haven in the Middle East is a fantastic destination that should appeal to a diverse clientele. From the Lost City of Petra to the Dead Sea, from its biblical sites to adventure/eco-tourism opportunities, Jordan covers many niche markets.
Albert Herrera, Vice President of Hotels, Destinations & Tours for Virtuoso, gave a keynote speech at lunch today, stressing that today's affluent traveler is looking for authentic experiences, engaging with other people and cultures. Jordan certainly fits the bill. Despite the challenges of 2009's economic recession, Jordan's tourism sector proved resilient with a decline of only 0.2% in total visitors. And with a November 2009 Virtuoso poll confirming that the international leisure sector is the most insulated from the global economic crisis, the future bodes well for Jordan's tourism strategy.
Looking to learn more about Jordan, even become a destination expert? The Jordan Tourism Board has announced a new online academy for travel advisors to get acquainted with the product through themed courses.
Noteworthy: Jordan has just launched a new hotel classification system which should add to the country's competitiveness as a world-class destination.
Follow the Jordan Travel Mart (JTM) on Twitter: #JTM2010
