The objective of these efforts is to attract tourism to the kingdom, which witnessed a notable regression since 2011, due to the instability in the Middle East.
AMMAN – A Vatican delegation is conducting a tourism visit to Jordan to get introduced to the tourist and historic sites in the kingdom.
Being hosted by Royal Jordanian, the Ministry of Tourism and the Jordan Tourism Board, the delegation comprises of 20 tour operators from the Vatican and Italy. They arrived on board RJ’s flight from Rome to Amman, accompanied by RJ’s area manager in Italy Ramzi Zawaideh, who organized the trip.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Nidal Qatamin said Christian pilgrims are now given the great opportunity to walk the trail Christ and his apostles did and get familiarized with the religious and historical sites in Jordan, including Um Al Jimal, in Mafraq governorate, Mount Nebo, the baptism site, Mukawir, Our Lady of the Mount church, Mar Elias Hilltop and others.
He said that these are significant Christian sites that make Jordan an attractive religious destination for pilgrims.
Qatamin added that the tour operators’ visit is a message to the Christians of Jordan that these sites are important for Christians everywhere. He said that the ministry and its close collaborator, Jordan Tourism Board, look for further cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the field of religious tourism to the kingdom.
Minister of Tourism introduces the delegation with the potentials of religious tourism.
Royal Jordanian Acting President/CEO Captain Haitham Misto said the airline’s initiative to transport the Vatican and Italian tour operators comes in line with RJ’s support for the inbound tourism and its drive to revitalize European market, making particularly attractive religious tourism.
He stressed that worldwide RJ offices are exerting their utmost efforts to communicate with the officials involved in the tourism industry in the 52 cities that RJ serves around the world.
The objective of these efforts is to attract tourism to the kingdom, which witnessed a notable regression since 2011, due to the instability in the Middle East.
Captain Misto said that RJ and local tourism entities join forces to revive the tourism to Jordan, where security and political stability prevail. The endeavors are also focused on familiarizing the travel and tourism sector with the remarkable tourism capabilities of Jordan in all areas, highlighting the high air and land connectivity, and the experience with hotels, restaurants and shopping centres, among others.
He said that Jordan has the potential to be one of the top destinations that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Photo caption: The Vatican delegation with the RJ crew upon arrival at QAIA.
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