No wonder his job is a stress buster. As the Managing Director of Jordan Tourism Board, Nayef Al Fayez, has a job that causes him to travel all across the world. In Mumbai recently as part of his job, Al Fayez wants to see India beyond what his work is.
Though he is working as well. Tourism contributed about three billion dollars or 14% of the GDP in Jordan in 2008. And yes, much like the sector in other countries, recession has affected it here too. Traffic from some of the European countries has gone down. However, there was a growth of around 2.7% in the first half of 2009, largely due to the increase in the number of arrivals from neighbouring Arab countries, which generally make up more than 50% of the travel market.
Out of the 3.7 million overnight visitors to Jordan in 2008, 38,000 arrivals were from India.? As India is becoming an increasingly important market, and the Board has recently established a representative office in Delhi. Al Fayez believes that the Indian outbound traveller is on the lookout for newer destinations, and Jordan is well placed to fill in the gap. He plans enhanced activities in India to create extra impetus in the coming months and expects the figures to double in the next few years. ?The intention is to promote Jordan as a destination with multitude of travel products for the discerning traveler,? he says. ?We have plans to launch co-promotions with the travel trade in the country. Another focus for us is e-marketing.?
Instead of just visiting ?must list? of Petra, Fayez, who has watched Amar Akbar Anthony many times, and is fond of the masala-laden lamb biryani cooked in a
tandoor, offers some tips on sightseeing while in Jordan. ?Visit the Dead Sea, as it is the largest spa on earth. For those interested in eco tourism, visit our jungles. We have palaces, old ruins, the world?s oldest church in Mafraq. For fun and adventure we have hot air balloons, parachuting, hiking and paragliding too. Want to camp? Come to Wadirum and you can see stars and a moon. Go on the camel rides. It is
different from what you have ever experienced.? Indeed .