Jordan Times
Friday, February 4, 2005
'Jordan a must see for US
travelers' — American tourism expert
American Society of Travel Agents
holds biannual meeting in Amman
By Rami Abdelrahman
AMMAN — US tourists should start learning about Jordan and appreciating the many
aspects that make the Kingdom a desirable holiday destination, a senior US
tourism expert said yesterday.
“The famous Jordanian hospitality coupled with
magnificent tourism sites, high quality facilities and warm atmosphere makes
Jordan a must see for US travellers,” William Malhoney, executive vice president
and CEO of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), said.
“Tourism in Jordan is ready for a rebirth,” he said on the sidelines of ASTA's
biannual meeting, which is being held in Amman this week.
Tourism in Jordan has suffered because of many misconceptions related to its
position in “a troubled neighbourhood,” Minister of Tourism Alia Bouran told the
gathering. However, she stressed that not one single incident related to any
political or religious reason had ever taken place in the Kingdom.
“US travellers must understand that Jordan has a lot to offer as a standalone
travel location,” she asserted.
Malhoney noted that Jordan is an interesting location for sophisticated
tourists, but not first-time travellers.
A group of 40 ASTA travel professionals, headed by Malhoney, toured various
tourism sites in the Kingdom over the past six days to learn about its tourism
potential.
Malhoney said the group would create increased and immediate awareness among
potential US travellers to overcome incorrect perceptions about travel to the
Kingdom.
“They all raved about this country and its tourism potential,” Malhoney added.
Jordan Tourism Board General Manager Mazen Hmoud said the ASTA delegates
provided overwhelmingly positive feedback, even those who had never been to
Jordan before.
He expects that feedback to increase the number of US tourists to the country.
According to official figures, around 104,000 US citizens visited the country in
2004, mostly for business. However, Hmoud said the figure increased by 42.5 per
cent compared to 2003, which is a “good” indication that American misconceptions
about Jordan's stability and security had lessened.
Malhoney said these misconceptions were mainly due to most Americans' lack of
geographic knowledge.