Jordan Times
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Tourism industry
representatives to discuss managing projected growth
By Dalya Dajani
AMMAN — Senior tourism industry representatives
will convene on the shores of the Dead Sea today to discuss the current status
of the sector and the challenges facing its projected growth.
The one-day workshop, “Managing Tourism Growth,” held by USAID/Siyaha, will
bring together some 200 representatives from government and private sector
tourism organisations.
Participants will discuss ways to prepare for and manage the projected growth of
the industry as well as identify tools and mechanisms that can be used to meet
these challenges.
Several investments are currently being poured into building a strong and
sustainable industry in the country. Various new hotels are being developed,
along with multimillion dollar real estate projects in the Dead Sea and Aqaba.
The Kingdom is also shaping up infrastructure, management and services at
various sites and tourism-related facilities to embrace the projected growth and
ensure visitor satisfaction.
Siyaha and the Tourism Ministry have been working closely to pave the ground for
such growth and provide the needed tools to support it.
New and upgraded training facilities are being developed for upgrading
hospitality skills as well as other efforts to encourage Jordanians to work in
this sector.
Statistics indicate that the hospitality industry requires some 5,000 new
employees each year to meet the growth by 2010.
Siyaha is currently conducting a nationwide tourism-awareness campaign together
with the ministry to address this challenge by enhancing public perceptions
about the potential of the sector and its importance as a career choice.
A recent survey by Siyaha showed that the public is not fully aware of the
potential of tourism and how it can positively affect the lives and livelihood
of Jordanians and the national economy.
The campaign seeks to enhance local perceptions of tourism and the sector in
general, by targeting six groups of people: Policy-makers, students, parents and
teachers (career influencers), current tourism sector employees, the media and
the public.
As part of today’s meetings, industry officials will discuss the current status
of the tourism sector with roundtable sessions dedicated to infrastructure,
human resources and marketing.
Participants include the governor of the Central Bank of Jordan, the ASEZA
commissioner, presidents of tourism associations, general managers of
tourism-related companies and major hotels as well as newspaper chief editors.
Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit is scheduled to attend the workshop, hosted by
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Osama Dabbas with the support of USAID/Siyaha.