Happy Holidays from the JTBNA Team! (Issue 25)

#ChristmasatTheBoulevard

December 6th - December 31st it’s Christmas at The Boulevard in Amman! Come visit Santa and his elves, sing carols, listen to live music, shop in the Christmas market, and sled down a massive snowy hill. Check out this video for a sneak preview of all the activities!

Celebrating Christmas in Jordan

With Jordan being the site of many traditional and religiously significant Christian holy places, it only makes sense that Christmas would be celebrated here! Learn more about all the celebrations happening in Amman, Madaba, and across Jordanduring the month of December.  

Petra sees more visitors in November as hotels cite 70% rise in occupancy rates

November 2018 was an outstanding month for tourism in Petra, with more than 100,000 visitors, a 49 percent increase over the same month last year. Acting chief commissioner of the Petra Development and Tourism Regional Authority (PDTRA) Suleiman Farajat, believes that 2019 is going to be an “excellent” year for tourism to the region. Learn more about how the hotels in the area are accommodating the influx in visitors.

Jordan tourism records some $4.9bln in revenues in 11 months

More tourists visited Jordan this year, than in 2017 and 2016. There were significantly more tourists during the month of November, an increase of more than 40 percent when compared to the same period in 2017. The number of overnight visitors to Jordan increased as well.

Tourism Cares Recognizes Travel Industry Players for Positive Social Impact

BARAKA Consulting, a social enterprise based in Amman won the Agent of Change Award. BARAKA partners with clients to design, build, and implement tourism strategies that leave minimal impacts on the environment and maximum benefits for local communities. Most recently, they partnered with the Jordan Tourism Board and Tourism Cares to create and develop The Meaningful Travel Map of Jordan.

Jordan’s first Hyatt Regency resort launches in Aqaba

The international Hyatt Hotels Corporation recently announced the launch of its first resort on the northern shores of Aqaba’s Ayla area, south of Jordan. It will be the first Hyatt resort in Jordan and is full of luxurious amenities for their guests. See a full list of the hotels perks and offerings here.

Staying at these 4 bubble hotels feels like sleeping on another planet (features wadi rum)

Want to take a vacation in another world? Be prepared to get away from it all with a relaxing stay in these otherworldly bubble hotels in Wadi Rum, Jordan.   

Courier names JTB Silver winner for International DMO Partner

Congratulations to the Jordan Tourism Board, who earned the silver award in the National Tour Association’s 2019 Distinguished Dozen competition. Awards are given based on the supplier’s quality of tour product, customer service, value, and dedication to relationship building. To find a full list of the winners named in Courier magazine, click here.

Insight Vacations Enhanced Jordan Experience

Insight Vacations is offering an enhanced Jordan experience with a 7-day exploration package to natural wonders, ancient sites, and culturally rich cities such as Amman, Jerash, Wadi Rum, and Madaba. Guided by knowledgeable tour guides, you will be treated to authentic regional cuisine, 5-star hotels, and experiences of the local heritage of Jordan. Sign up now!

Win an all-inclusive family trip to Aqaba, Jordan!

You could win a scuba diving expedition for you and your family, sponsored by Aqaba Tourism and Scuba Diver magazine! The winning family will receive an all-inclusive trip to Aqaba and have their adventure documented by a photojournalist and social media team. Get all the details and apply here!

Tourism in Jordan: threat or opportunity for the country?

Tourism is booming in Jordan, but it is coming at a cost for the natural resources of the region. Read about those leading the charge to preserve the natural beauty of Jordan and what you can do as a tourist to contribute to that effort.

The Joy of the New Jordan Bike Trail

The Jordan Bike Trail is a long-distance 725 kilometre route, stretching from Um Qais in the north to Aqaba in the south. Biking this trail is the perfect way to experience the natural beauty Jordan has to offer while getting an authentic experience of the country and its joyful people. Read about one traveler’s experience on the trail and how it exceeded her expectations.

Uniworld Amman and Petra 5-day stay River Cruise Extension

Uniworld, Boutique River Cruise Collection is offering you the opportunity to explore Amman and Petra, when you add an extension to a Cairo river cruise. During this 5-day stay, you will be guided through Jerash, Petra, and Madaba on city tours, and experience the history of Shobak Castle and Mt. Nebo. See all the details and purchase your cruise extension here!

Follow us for the Latest on Jordan and More, Including Giveaways!

Featured Stories from Jordan

Check out the news on adventure, tourism, culture, and history on our Jordan in the Press page here!  

Travel Industry Updates!

The AdventureNEXT program offers multi-day travel adventures filled with rich regional and cultural experiences. AdventureNEXT Near East 2019 will be hosted in Jordan’s coastal city, Aqaba. This event introduces you to the best of Jordan’s history, culture, community, attractions, and cuisine.

Read Testimonials From Travelers!

• "My husband worked with Tala at Experience Jordan. Extraordinary service throughout trip! Three weeks in Jordan and Israel. Exceptional professional private guides and drivers. Jordanians are so warm & welcoming. Mahmoud Al Boul was our Jordanian guide and Firas Issa was our Palestinian guide in Israel. Wonderful, informative and genuine guides. What an education in religion, history, geology, archeology intertwined continuously with local culture and flavors. Hiked 50mi/5days on Jordan trail to Petra.”- Mary L. December 7, 2018

• During my recent trip to the Holy Land, I wanted to be sure to include a visit to Petra, Jordan. I was pleasantly surprised to find the 2 Day Tour of Petra, Wadi Rum, Red Sea, and Dead Sea from Amman through Jordan Private Tours & Travel in Amman which exceeded my expectations! I also added a third day to visit Madaba, the St. John Baptismal Site, and a brief tour of Amman. Each site was beautiful and unique in its own way, and the hospitality and kindness extended by my tour guides/drivers, Mustafa and Jafar, made for a perfect trip to Jordan. The staff at the Bedouin camp overnight stay were also very welcoming, prepared a wonderful home-cooked, traditional meal, and even made a surprise birthday cake for another guest, which was a lovely gesture." -Vesna Z. January 17, 2018
• We spend almost 2 weeks in Jordan and everything was perfect! From pick up from the airport, travel from north to south of Jordan and back, untill going safety back to the airport. We saw Amman, Jerash, Desert Castles, Petra, Wadi Rum etc. Everything was great and organization was perfect! -Veronika P. November 2018  

Have you been to Jordan and want to share about your experience or are you thinking of going to Jordan and want to know what people thought? Either way, visit our testimonials page to join the conversation!