AMMAN, JORDAN- US Agency for International Developments announced three new Jordan Tourism initiatives designed to thrust Jordan into a competitive position in the world tourism industry. The three initiatives will build on a decade of American partnerships and support of the tourism sectors through the local Jordanian government and organizations. The $38.3 million initiative will span a five-year time table with three primary objectives.

 

The Jordan Tourism Development Project II will be managed under the supervision of the Ministries of Tourism and Antiquities and key stake holders. The primary goal of this division is to develop key tourist destinations and to strengthen the economical capacity of the governing institutes to guide this sector of tourism. 

 

The second phase of development, will be under the watchful eye of the Nature-Driven Rural Development in the Southern Region Project. The five-year plan calls for a collective link that will culminate into a world class tourist complex. The three primary tourist attractions, Petra, Dana, and the newly protected, Jebel Masuda will become one world-class complex. The result will be the development of an attraction geared to entice and entertain the global tourist market.

 

The third, but possibly one of the most vital partnerships will be the link between the Cultural and Environmental Tourist Project and the US National Park Services. Working closely with the local governing bodies, their goal is to enhance the tourist’s experience while protecting the natural resources of Jordan.

 

This USAID ceremony was hosted by Acting Administrator Alonzo Fulgham and Her Excellency MS Maha Khatib, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities

The eyes of the world are fixed on the Middle East. Rumors and half truths are heard by all who will listen. Have you ever wondered what you would find if you made your own pilgrimage into this ancient region of the world? I have, and as I read the perceptions of journalists and tourist that have ventured into this “War Torn” country, I realize there seems to be little truth in the reports “rumors” of war. Jordan seems to be nestled in a hotspot of the Middle East, but is that the truth? Jordan has no interest or desire to join the conflicts that seem to plague the Middle East. The fact is, the residents are making the most of the resources available to them, like so many of us in this time of economical distress. They want to know who we are and share with us freely who they are. They welcome us into their country with a hardy shalom, “peace” and want to share their rich culture with all the world visitors who enter their gates. In actuality, the Jordanians depend on the tourist trade for about 10% of their yearly income. The tourist industry continues to develop this rich resource. It is the goal of Tourist Ministry to maintain renewable resources and protect the environment while inviting the world to stop by for a visit.

These ancient people find themselves located near Iraq, between Israel and the Palestinian Territories, surrounded by Lebanon, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. Boarded by the political extremes and the violence of the Israeli-Palestinian struggle, while being totally void of any oil reserves, and running low on available water resources, this has been a difficult time for this ancient country.

With the continued reports of terrorists attacks, the world travelers tend to hesitate adding Jordan to their list of tourist destinations. As this tour prepared to depart, there were reports of continued eruptions and a heightened awareness of the Middle East conflicts. The Israeli forces were battling the Hezbollahs in Lebanon and in a tense standoff with the radical Hamas over soldiers.
Beirut was being bombed and the entire region threatened to erupt into a full scale campaign.
This visitor’s instincts were on full alert. The little country of Jordan seemed destined to be unwillingly caught right in the middle of the conflict.

As our plans were developed, we felt it was time these misconceptions were dispelled. To report to the world that in fact, Jordan was a very safe destination for foreign travelers. Even though conflicts were in fact raging in other regions of the Middle East, in defiance, our group accepted the invitation to see for ourselves the many great Jordanian destinations open to the world. One case in fact was the Hashemite Kingdom as this group accepted the opportunity to get a new perspective of this country. Jordan proved to be stable and a safe tourist destination that is quickly becoming the Jewel of the Middle East, with great diversity of attractions to offer the foreign visitors.

Being almost totally landlocked, Jordan is truly a small country of little over 96,000 square kilometers. To the west it is bordered by Israel and the Palestinian Territories to the west. Syria is to the north, Iraq and Saudi Arabia are to the east. The northern tip of the Red Sea at the port of Aqaba is the only saltwater access. The border follows the northern banks of the Wadi Araba to the shores of the Dead Sea. The Jordan River winds its way to the Sea of Galilee, along the often tense border of Israel.

Jordan’s diverse population of approximately six million includes an estimated one million citizens of Palestinian origin. The 2003 conflict in Iraqi, brought waves of immigrants into Jordan. Amman is the capitol and home to almost a third of the inhabitants with a population of almost two million. Though Jordan is predominantly Muslim, about 80 % adhere to Sunni Islam and about 15 % professing the Shi’ite branch of faith. The Christian minority of about 5 % enjoys complete freedom to follow their religion and are included in the economic, social, and political factions of Jordan.