Jordan Times
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Jordan, Saudi Arabia to cooperate in tourism sector
AMMAN (JT) — Jordan and Saudi Arabia have signed a programme for bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector, seeking
to promote tourism in both countries and exchange expertise in the field.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Osama Dabbas signed the agreement with Prince Sultan Ben Salman Ben Abdul Aziz,
secretary general of the Saudi Arabian Higher Commission for Tourism, during a recent visit to Saudi Arabia.
The Prince expressed his support for the programme, saying it would further enhance cooperation between Jordan and Saudi
Arabia, especially in the field of tourism, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
The programme is designed to enhance tourism cooperation through the exchange of expertise and encourage tour and travel
agencies to organise regular trips between the two countries.
It will promote therapeutic tourism by familiarising citizens of both countries on therapeutic and medical facilities,
the statement said.
Under the agreement, the two sides will exchange information on developing tourism in the desert areas and mechanisms to
preserve the cultural, traditional and environmental characteristics of these areas.
Amman and Riyadh will also exchange information on means of establishing handicraft projects in tourist areas and
cooperate in the field of curricula and training in the hospitality industry sector.
In addition, the two countries also agreed to encourage joint investments by establishing tourism services projects
and called for holding joint tourism and cultural activities, and taking part in exhibitions and events held in both
countries.
The deal also stipulates exchanging research in the field of archaeology and antiquities, excavations and holding
archaeological fairs.
Dabbas said the recent visit to Saudi Arabia was designed to increase Saudi Arabian investments in the Kingdom and to
familiarise Saudi officials with tourism investment opportunities in the country, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.