JORDAN is all set to highlight its tourism-related infrastructure in a bid to attract high-value meetings business at the upcoming at Gulf Incentives, Business, Travel and Meetings (GIBTM) expo in Abu Dhabi.
“Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (Mice) business is extremely important for Jordan, and the kingdom enjoys a reputation as a host for high-profile events of global significance such as the World Economic Forum, which has taken place here no less than seven times,” says Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, managing director, Jordan Tourism Board (JTB).
Around 10 to 15 per cent of all visitors to Jordan are Mice related, which offers an enviable mix of attractions, from the ancient city of Petra to modern hotels and convention centres, he explains.
The JTB will provide GIBTM’s hosted buyers with an insight into business and meetings facilities offered in Jordan, by hosting a familiarisation trip after the 2014 event to showcase the country’s unique Mice-focused attractions and services.
Jordan has also been quick to invest in its infrastructure, with the recent opening of the brand new state-of-the-art terminal at Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport, helping to secure the Jordanian capital’s position as the preferred aviation hub for the Levant region. Built at an estimated cost of $750 million, the terminal allows the airport to grow by 6 per cent per annum over the next 25 years by increasing capacity from 3.5 million to 12 million passengers annually by 2030.
Tourism represents around 14 per cent of Jordan’s gross domestic product (GDP). The sector has rebounded in 2012 following the impact of the Arab Spring, generating $3.5 billion in tourism revenues, up 15.3 per cent or $3 billion from 2011.