Jordan Times
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Jordan Tourism Board to
promote ASEZA
By Dalya Dajani
AMMAN — The Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) on Tuesday agreed to reinforce its
efforts in promoting and marketing the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA)
as an ultimate business and travel destination. The memorandum of understanding
(MoU), signed between ASEZA Chief Commissioner Nader Dahabi and Minister of
Tourism Alia Hattough-Bouran, who is also JTB chairman, lays out a series of
steps facilitating cooperation in activities related to promoting the coastal
city.
The two sides agreed to coordinate their efforts particularly in formulating or
recommending policies related to tourism activities in the region and marketing
campaigns promoting ASEZA.
This agreement also ensures improved coordination between the JTB and ASEZA in
the adoption of policies pertaining to Jordan`s National Tourism Strategy.
The six-year strategy (2004-2010) outlines steps for doubling the Kingdom's
tourism economy by 2010 using an integrated value-chain approach based on
government facilitation and greater private sector investment.
The strategy is designed to raise tourism receipts from JD570 million in 2003 to
JD1.3 billion by the year 2010, create over 51,000 jobs in the tourism industry
and generate some JD455 million in revenue for the government.
Aqaba, the Kingdom's sole port city, is home to a wealth of attractions and
seaside- related tourism services which have witnessed growing development over
the past few years.
Several projects are in the works for the coming 10 years, which include
construction of two 5-star hotels — Inter.Continental and Marriott — development
of the multimillion Tala Bay Resort, the Aqaba Lagoon Tourism Site and a world
class shopping centre that will feature a mini-China town.
The JTB, a private-public sector institution, is the Kingdom's main body
responsible for branding, positioning and promoting the Jordan tourism product
internationally as the destination of choice.
It currently has an office in Washington, DC with branches in 9 other countries
including Latin America and Russia.
Under the MoU, ASEZA will represent various hotels and other tourism-related
establishments in conferences, festivals and national, regional and
international exhibitions promoting the Kingdom.
ASEZA will also provide the JTB with JD50,000 in February 2005, JD75,000 in
2006, and JD100,000 in 2007 for the purpose of marketing and promotional
activities.