Amman: Jordan wrapped up its participation in the International Tourism Fair FITUR 2024, held in Madrid. The event showcased Jordan’s diverse tourism offerings, with the Jordanian pavilion drawing attention from attendees.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Makram Qaisi highlighted the importance of Jordan’s presence at the exhibition. This participation aligns with efforts to increase global tourism influx to Jordan and to promote its varied tourism portfolio.
During the event, Qaisi conducted several meetings aimed at enhancing Jordan’s profile in the global tourism sector. He emphasized the goal of attracting more Spanish tourists through direct engagement with Jordan’s private tourism sector.
Qaisi’s schedule also included media interactions with Spanish and Spanish-speaking outlets. He focused on Jordan’s stability, security, and the rich diversity of its tourism attractions, including Christian pilgrimage sites recognized by the Vatican, the Golden Triangle, and experiences in adventure and communit
y tourism.
Emphasizing the Jordanian tradition of hospitality, Qaisi discussed the cultural importance of honoring guests. His talks with the Spanish Minister of State for Tourism Affairs centered on increasing tourism exchange and cooperation in promotional activities, training, and support for restoration and museum management projects.
Qaisi invited the Spanish minister to visit Jordan, intending to further educate the Spanish public about Jordan’s safety and appeal.
On the exhibition’s sidelines, Qaisi visited two major museums in Madrid to discuss opportunities for cooperation in the fields of restoration, training, and exchange programs in museum management and antiquities.
His meeting with the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization underscored Jordan’s commitment to collaborating on marketing regional tourism and strengthening the Middle East’s tourism industry.
In a United Nations Tourism-organized session, Qaisi joined tourism ministers from Egypt and Peru in discussing regional tou
rism in crisis times, alternative markets, and collaborative programs.
Qaisi also met with the Palestinian Minister of Tourism to explore developing joint tourism programs and supporting the Palestinian tourism sector. They agreed to sign a program for cooperation in tourism, antiquities restoration and training, and Jordan’s support for Palestinian UNESCO listings.
Engaging with the World Travel and Tourism Council, Qaisi discussed cooperation in data and training. He proposed hosting a Council meeting in Jordan to help modify the perception of the Middle East, especially given recent challenges affecting Jordan’s tourism.
Abdul Razzaq Arabiyat, Director General of the Jordan Tourism Board, detailed the Board’s activities at FITUR 2024. Efforts included a dinner for Spanish journalists, an advertising campaign, and highlighting Jordanian cuisine.
The Board held numerous meetings with key Spanish travel firms, airlines, and media to promote Jordanian tourism.
The increase in Spanish tourists to Jordan, r
ising to 59.4 thousand last year from 38.6 thousand in 2022, indicates a growing interest in Jordan as a tourism destination.
Source: Jordan News Agency