30


Jordan T


his year, 2012, marks 200 years since the rediscovery of Petra – the jewel in the


tourism crown for the Kingdom of Jordan. This city, carved into the red rocks almost 2,000 years ago by the Nabataean people, is a dramatic wonder of the world. When approaching through a narrow gorge flanked by 80-metre-high cliffs, the first sight of this man-made marvel is a dramatic and unforgettable experience for visitors.


Jerash's Greco-Roman ruins


JORDAN — LEBANON | DESTINATION Citadel, Amman However, Jordan is not a


one-wonder destination. Apart from the history and culture of sites like Petra, Jordan offers many natural wonders and unique activities for visitors. The Dead Sea, the desert landscape of Wadi Rum, the coral reefs of Aqaba and a number of nature reserves are all must- see attractions, which also provide a host of memorable experiences – from desert drives to diving. Visitors can also watch gladiators in battle or ride their own Roman chariots in Jerash. Amman, the nation’s capital,


is home to almost half of the country’s population and a city of contrasts. Located between the desert and fertile Jordan Valley, it is a veritable mix of old and new. Visitors can take part in many sports and activities in and around the city, from water parks to desert drives and horse riding. The King Hussein National Park to the west of the city centre is also home to The Cultural


Jordan at Arabian Travel Market Jordan Tourism Board ME605


Lebanon Beirut L


ebanon is at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East and offers


archaeological and historical riches, 200 kilometres of coastline and mountains rising above 3,000 metres. The sunny climate and snowy mountains mean Lebanon is well-placed to develop year-round tourist activities with its combination of outdoor, leisure, cultural and historical attractions.


XXXXXXXX Lebanon is mentioned in the


ancient writings of Homer and in the Old Testament. Its cities were major outposts and seaports in Phoenician and Roman times, just two of the great civilisations that have touched this important destination. After a period of relative


stability, the capital city Beirut seems to be gaining a foothold once again on its hugely important tourism industry,


Lebanon at Arabian Travel Market Lebanon Ministry of Tourism ME600


The anniversary of the discovery


of Petra by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt comes at an


opportune time for the Jordan Tourism Board, which is keen to attract more tourists after a difficult 2011 that followed a record-breaking 2010


Village, showcasing Jordan’s heritage and traditional crafts. Aqaba, named Arab Tourism


Capital 2011, is fast becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in Jordan. The city, located on the Red Sea coast, has seen many new hotel properties open in recent years (including Hilton, Kempinski and InterContinental) and visitor numbers have risen, boosted by the Aqaba International Airport and the growing popularity of Jordan as a whole.


Health and wellness tourism


is a growing sector for Jordan, which has excellent spas, hot springs, Hammams and, of course, the rejuvenating properties of Dead Sea mud. Jordan has complemented its natural therapeutic sites with first-class resorts offering a diverse range of amenities. The anniversary of the


discovery of Petra by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt comes at an opportune time for the Jordan


Tourism Board, which is keen to attract more tourists after a difficult 2011 that followed a record-breaking 2010. Tourism is one of the most important sectors of the Kingdom of Jordan’s economy, representing around 13 percent of GDP. A strong tourism industry faced unexpected challenges in 2011, but Jordan’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Nayef Al Fayez, has recently laid out plans to turn things around. In an interview with The


Jordan Times, Al Fayez said they would focus on promoting Jordan as a standalone destination this year to avoid the repercussions of being promoted as part of joint packages with neighbouring countries. Jordan used to be promoted


with Syria and Egypt, which resulted in cancellations when these countries were considered unsafe for tourists. However, because many long-haul tourists prefer to visit more than one country, Al Fayez said they might consider marketing Jordan with Turkey or the UAE. There are positive signs


already emerging in 2012. Flag carrier Royal Jordanian reported record passenger numbers in January, up 25 percent on 2011 to 268,000. The airline has a route network covering 60 destinations.


Jordan Fact File


Jordan is located on the western fringe of Arabia. It is bordered by Syria, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Iraq and is home to tourism jewel, Petra.


Population: 6.5 million Climate: Jordan has a Mediterranean climate providing pleasurable travel all year round. Due to its higher elevation, Amman is sunny and cloudless from May to October, with average temperatures around 23°C. Summer temperatures climb to 35°C outside the capital. Local time: GMT +2 Currency: Jordanian Dinar JD1 = US$1.41 Language: Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken. French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken, but to a lesser extent. Cultural considerations: Jordan is a predominantly Muslim country, although the freedom of all religions is protected. Getting there: All foreigners need a visa to enter Jordan, which can be obtained on arrival. Queen Alia International Airport is home to Royal Jordanian, the national airline that has a route network covering 60 destinations on four continents.


which relies heavily on the city’s renowned nightlife, luxury shopping and historical sights. With a Mediterranean climate,


it is often said that in Beirut one can ski down a mountain in the morning and sunbathe on the beach in the afternoon. While this is certainly possible – the mountain resorts offering winter sports are just a short drive from the city centre – it would have to be a hardy soul to brave the beach during the winter months. That said, this anecdote


typifies a dynamic and fascinating city of contrasts. Street signs and café society are as likely to be in French as Arabic. Luxury five-star hotels stand side by side with buildings showing the scars of past troubles. The Ministry of Tourism is


trying to leverage its traditional position as a destination for its diaspora into a location for more international tourists. A total of 2.35 million international tourists arrived in 2010, up from 1.14 million in 2005. However, troubles in neighbouring Syria have had an effect on arrivals, especially those over land, which were down 50 percent in the first half of 2011. Lebanon’s international airport – Rafic Hariri International Airport (RHIA) – also saw a slight drop in arrivals in the first half of 2011 to 1.61 million from 1.64 million


over the same period in 2010. The good news for Lebanon is


that by targeting higher income visitors, tourism receipts are up. In fact, the average visitor spend in Lebanon is one of the highest in the world, at around US$4,000. “We still managed to see an increase in tourism receipts, because we are emphasising middle-income rather than lower-income groups,” said Fady Abboud, Minister of Tourism. According to a report by the


Byblos Bank Group, Arab tourists accounted for 33 percent of total visitors, followed by Europeans at 30 percent, Asians at 16 percent and Americans at 14 percent.


Some of the top attractions


are Lebanon’s prized UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Baalbek and Byblos. The Phoenician city of Baalbek, where deities were worshipped, was known as Heliopolis during the Hellenistic period. With its colossal structures, Baalbeck is one of the finest examples of Imperial Roman architecture. The ruins of many civilisations


are found at Byblos, one of the oldest Phoenician cities. Inhabited since Neolithic times, it has been closely linked to the legends and history of the Mediterranean region for thousands of years.


With a Mediterranean climate, it is often said that in Beirut one can ski


down a mountain in the morning and sunbathe on the beach in the afternoon


Lebanon Fact File


Perched on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Lebanon boasts a geographically diverse environment and is blessed with one of the most seasonal climates in the Middle East. European and Middle Eastern influences create a unique social culture in Lebanon.


Population: 4.1 million Climate: Lebanon enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, with four distinct seasons. The winter months are characterised by rain on the coast and snow in the mountains. Temperatures average 15°C on the coast and 10°C in the mountains. Summer temperatures peak at around 35°C on the coast and around 22°C in the mountains. Local Time: GMT +2 Currency: Lebanese Pound US$1 = LP1,502 Language: The official language is Arabic, although English and French are widely spoken. Cultural considerations: Lebanon is one of the most liberal countries in the Middle East. Its secular population consists mainly of Muslims (60 percent) and Christians (39 percent).


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36