Middle East
JITOA wins a one year grant from JEDCO/JSMP
August 30, 2010
The Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA) announce wining a grant worth 100.000 Euros from the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO) and signed the grant agreement Monday for over one year period under the Jordan Services Modernisation Programme (JSMP) managed by JEDCO. The grant is funded by the European Commission (EC-Financed and JE managed) for implementation of the action entitled “Developing the Capacity of JITOA and its Members”. The grant aims at implementing several projects and activities within the association’s strategies to build on JITOA capacity development and sustainability through enhancing the performance and profitability of its members, and enhancing JITOA communication and networking channels within the tourism industry. Mohammad Samih, JITOA Chairman said “we anticipate quantifiable outcomes from the activities that will be implemented under this grant due to the various opportunities it will offer to our members and the tourism sector... Read More →
Industry Partner NewsContinental Airlines Announces New Daily Service From New York Hub To Cairo, Egypt
July 6, 2010
Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced plans to launch nonstop flights between Newark Liberty and Cairo, Egypt, beginning May 18, 2011, subject to government approval. Cairo, the largest city in Africa and the Middle East, will be the 72nd international destination that Continental serves from its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport and the 30th city in Continental’s trans-Atlantic route network. Continental serves more nonstop destinations with more flights from the New York area than any other airline. Cairo is the third new international destination Continental has announced since May — the airline plans to begin daily service from its Houston hub to Lagos, Nigeria, beginning Nov. 10, 2011, and service to Auckland, New Zealand, beginning Nov. 16, 2011, subject to government approval. “We are excited to grow our international route network from the New York area by adding nonstop service to Cairo,” said Jeff Smisek, Continental’s... Read More →
Member Press Releases
JITOA Takes Part in Promoting Um-Al Rassas Archeological Site
June 22, 2010
A group of The Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA) members participated in a Familiarization (FAM) trip to Um-Al Rassas Ruins located south of Madaba governorate, on Saturday 19th June 2010, to learn about the recent developments carried out by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in cooperation with the Department of Antiquities and funded by the European Union, that was established to promote and protect the cultural heritage of the site. JITOA organized this trip in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to involve its members of tour operators and tour guides and keep them up to date on the recent site developments and to highlight the importance of marketing and promoting this cultural heritage site in their tourist programs. The trip included a visit to the Women of Mleih Association, one of the local associations in the municipality of Al-Lib and Mleih, which is specialized in producing local dairy products. The aim of this visit revolves in showcasing... Read More →
Cyclone Phet Affects Tourism in Oman & Pakistan
June 11, 2010
According to international media outlets, Oman and Pakistan have been hit by a deadly Cyclone, dubbed “Phet”, which has left two dozen dead in its wake. The ATTA will continue to receive updates from its contacts there as the situation hopefully improves. June 6 – From Eihab Travels: Dear Colleagues, friends, Oman was hit by Cyclone Phet last Thursday/Friday causing severe damages to certain areas of the country. Heavy rains and storms lashed the eastern cost of Oman including Muscat Governorate. A total of 24 people have been reported killed so far and many roads have been damaged. Some links to news below: http://www.timesofoman.com/echoice.asp?detail=37391&rand=IpINj1e16hnQk3uLYamYbJC3NW http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=37390&rand=Zbe1PIaFVc7i4OqhN8gp0Qc5ww http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100605/sc_afp/omanweathercyclonepakistan_20100605155404 The roads in Muscat is clear from all debris, there are no blockades, and life is back to normal in the... Read More →
Member Press Releases
JITOA adopts Jerash Archeological Site for Greener Jerash
June 10, 2010
The Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA) announces the launch of Jerash Adoption Program 2010-2011 on the World Environment Day, 5th of June 2010; under the second phase of JITOA “Don’t mess with Nature” the national tourism environmental initiative. The initiative committee decided to adopt Jerash Archeological site for one year being one of the most visited tourism destinations in the kingdom, which requires implementation of some environmental practices and enhancements of the site view. Under the Jerash Adoption Program 2010-2011, JITOA will conducted a number of activities and campaigns during the month of June, July and August which will include cleanup campaigns, trash bins installation workshop, in-site signage maintenance, and environmental film screening and many more. The activities will focus on enhancing the overall view of Jerash natural and cultural recourses of the site and eliminate visual pollution. This initiative is supported by Jerash Municipality,... Read More →
Jordan Tourism Booms in the First Quarter
May 5, 2010
The first quarter of 2010 heralded good news for Jordan’s tourism sector in what could be another landmark year. Statistics by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the by the Central Bank of Jordan have shown across-the-board increases in both visitor numbers as well as tourism receipts. The Ministry of Tourism has said overnight tourist numbers have jumped 33.4% during the first quarter to 883,450 people from a total of 662,075 in the same period of 2009. Same day visitors were up 17.6% to 651,325 people from 553,929 in 2009. The Ministry said overall numbers in the first quarter totaled 1,534,802 visitors compared to 1,216,004 in the same period of 2009, and representing a jump of 26.2%. With the exception of African visitors whose numbers have declined by 5%, all other regions have witnessed increasing numbers particularly from Europe. American visitors increased by 8.7%, Asia-Pacific nationals by 27%, South Asians by 29.4%, Arabs by 20.8%, and Europeans by 35.5%. Figures... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesJITOA launches “Don’t Mess with Nature” tourism environmental online network
April 22, 2010
The Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA) today announces the launch of its Environmental Network that coincide the Earth Day 22 April, 2010. The Network is part of the Jordan Tourism Environmental Initiative “Don’t Mess with Nature” that was launched last year by JITOA in the aim of raising public awareness on the importance of preserving nature and environmental sustainability, through organizing environmental friendly practices in the Jordan Tourism Sector. The concerns of this initiative are to help eliminate the trash at touristic sites, help in planting more trees, and help in recycling practices. This network will serve as the first dynamic interactive online forum for individuals, Tourism and Hospitality companies who have eco-friendly interests, and related stakeholders and organizations. The network members can share their ideas and green activities online, and showcase the problems and challenges facing the tourism sector, being a major contributor to environmental... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesJordan Travel Mart 2010 a Success
March 18, 2010
McLean, VA – On February 21-23, 2010, over 100 Travel professionals from North and South America met with their Jordanian counterpart at the Third Annual Jordan Travel Mart in the Dead Sea. Media personnel from the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and Jordan were also in attendance covering this three day event with Albert Herrera, Vice President of Hotels, Destinations, and Tours at Virtuoso, as well as Phil Otterson, President of the American Tourism Society as keynote speakers. Pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments between travel specialists along with workshops and presentations from the Airport International Group, led by CEO Curtis Grad, as well as Performance Media Group and Baxter Travel Media, were some of the highlights of the event. The Marriot Jordan Valley Dead Sea and Spa hosted the opening dinner with a Bedouin-style reception. The subsequent dinners took place at the Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea and Movenpick Dead Sea, each boasting their own unique themes. During the event... Read More →
JITOA “Destination Management Certificate” Program offered to boost the expertise of Jordan Tourism Professionals
January 28, 2010
The Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA) in cooperation with the International Institute of Tourism Studies at the George Washington University (GWU) and under the USAID / Jordan Tourism Development Project II, conducted special certification program for tourism professionals in Jordan for two weeks during January 2010, titled “Destination Management Certificate (DMC)” Program. This program aims to increase the professionalism within the destination management industry in Jordan by establishing a level of knowledge and performance necessary for certification; recognizing and raising industry standards and practices; and maximizing the value of the products and services that certified destination management professionals can provide. Destination Management courses are designed for tourism destination managers & marketers, hotel developers, tour operators, business owners, government officials and others concerned with enhancing the long-term sustainability and competitiveness... Read More →
Spotlight: SustainabilityNiche Market Stands to Boost Jordan’s Tourism Industry
January 28, 2010
Amman, Jordan – The Kingdom of Jordan may be able to tap a wealth of cultural assets through “voluntourism”, according to tourism industry experts. David Clemmons, an expert on the niche market and editor of the e-trade publication Voluntourist, said the concept caters to those who would like to leave a lasting impact on the community they visit. “It wasn’t until voluntourism that we as travellers could express our gratitude,” Clemmons told The Jordan Times. “There is a need not only to take something back home, but to leave something behind, to leave a piece of the traveler. This is where we see this market heading,” he said. The concept originated with Western backpackers staying with families in South America and looking for ways to help the local community, according to industry leaders. Over the past decade, the voluntourism market has grown, with tourists engaging in volunteer activities on all five continents, ranging from building local schools to aiding... Read More →
