Amman: Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab recently engaged in discussions with a delegation from the French-Jordanian Friendship Group in the French Senate at the Ministry’s headquarters. The meeting, which also saw the presence of French Ambassador to Jordan Alexis Le Cour Grandmaison, focused on enhancing tourism cooperation between the two nations.
According to Jordan News Agency, Annab emphasized the importance of the French market, citing it as a significant source of European tourists for Jordan. She revealed ongoing efforts to increase direct flights to Jordan, mentioning that Royal Jordanian already offers routes from Paris and Lyon, and Ryanair operates from Paris, with a new route from Marseille introduced this month.
Annab also highlighted the cultural collaboration that followed French President Emmanuel Macron’s 2022 visit to Jerash, which included a £1 million grant for restoring the Temple of Zeus steps. She stressed the importance of Jordan’s participation in tourism expos in Paris to promote various tourism facets, including cultural, religious, and adventure tourism. She further mentioned a French media delegation’s visit in February aimed at showcasing Jordan’s safety and appeal.
Discussing Jordan’s tourism, Annab noted the country’s reputation for hospitality, creating a unique and welcoming atmosphere for visitors. She underscored Jordan’s role in religious tourism, highlighting its significance as part of the Holy Land and the site of the Baptism of Jesus. She announced plans to raise awareness among French travelers about Jordan’s heritage and the upcoming European tour of the exhibition “Jordan: The Dawn of Christianity,” with special emphasis on France.
Ambassador Grandmaison indicated that Transavia, a subsidiary of Air France, is considering resuming flights to Jordan, which would further strengthen tourism ties. He praised Jordan’s historical and cultural richness and expressed interest in expanding collaboration to bolster religious and cultural tourism.
Concluding the meeting, the delegation lauded the professionalism of Jordan’s tourism sector and noted that the warmth and hospitality of Jordanians significantly enhance the visitor experience.