Country's tourism hurt by Gaza war
IAN STALKER
The Jordan Tourism Board North America has used tourism personnel who visited Jordan earlier this year to reassure travel agents that the country remains safe for travellers, even as fighting continues to rage in nearby Gaza.
A March 25 tourism board webinar inited participants on a fam trip to share their thoughts on security in Jordan, with all stating that at no time did they feel uneasy in the Middle Eastern nation.
“The Jordanians were incredibly kind and welcoming,” said Shannon Stowell of the Adventure Travel Trade Association, who acknowledged that he wondered prior to the trip, “if it was the right time to be there. I came out absolutely convinced it was.”
Jordanian tourism has taken a major hit as Gaza fighting scares tourists away from the region.
Stowell suggested that a reduced number of tourists can make normally hugely popular Jordanian tourist sites such as Petra more enjoyable for visitors while conceding that life has become tougher for those working in the country’s tourism trade.
Fellow trip participant Greg Takehara of Tourism Cares — which has long been involved in Jordan — agreed that international tourists shouldn’t be shunning Jordan.
“They are ready and capable and able to receive tourists,” he declared of those working in its tourism industry.
One female webinar participant who has visited Jordan some 20 times told viewers she’s never felt unsafe traveling in the country, adding Jordanians have always been respectful to her.
She also suggested that Jordan — which has often been seen as an add-on to a vacation to the likes of Egypt — can easily serve as a stand-alone destination, adding her travel in the country has lead her to believe that as many as 11 days there may not be enough to experience its attractions.
Webinar participants praised not only famed Jordanian tourist draws such as Petra — which Stowell labelled “just amazing” — and the Dead Sea, but lesser-known ones as well, such as the country’s many Biblical sites.
Takehara also noted Tourism Cares has been very involved in Jordanian social enterprises, which he praised for “transforming lives” of people across the country, particularly women.
