Middle East
JITOA 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 →
Member Press ReleasesClimate Vigil Rally Chitral, Pakistan
December 11, 2009
A vigil rally in Booni, northern Chitral, Pakistan was organized through the facilitation of CAMAT [Chitral Association for Mountain Area Tourism]. The objectives of the placard bearing rally was to showcase solidarity and show support to the climate change SOS Copenhagen and to highlight the issues of climate change in the Hindu Kush mountains that has already posed a serious challenge to the communities living here. The participants were mostly students of Government High School Booni and Pamir Public School apart from business community, political leadership, social workers and people from different walk of life. The rally walked for a kilometer before concentrating at the main Booni square where teachers, political leadership and business community representatives addressed them. It was maintained that for the last three decades there has been a considerable degradation to the natural environment is inevitably linked to global warming. The destruction of the village Sonoghor and Brep... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesJITOA Negotiates Landmark Professional Insurance Coverage for Member Tour Operators
November 18, 2009
Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA) is pleased to announce that it has negotiated with the Euro-Arab Insurance Group to offer its tour operator members Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance coverage. Members have the option to purchase this coverage from September 1st 2009 and by January 1st 2010 all JITOA tour operator members will be required to maintain this insurance coverage. Similar coverage has long been a requirement for many national tour operator associations, including the (USTOA) and the (BTOA). Until now, such coverage has not been available for Jordanian tour operators. The development of this coverage is another mark of JITOA’s ongoing efforts to raise the standards for Jordan’s inbound tour operators to meet International Best Practices guidelines. Foreign outbound tour operators are increasingly requiring that their inbound partners have professional indemnity and public liability coverage, and JITOA is pleased that its members can... Read More →
