Board Approves Budget Allocation

    JTB Launches New Stand Design at WTM

    An Increase in Arrivals for the first Eight Months of 2006

    JTB Sponsors Event Management Essentials

    Spanish Travel Agent Negotiating Groups

    The Motivation Show

    Selling Jordan a Breeze with the ‘Jordan Expert’ Online Training in Germany 

    The Jordan Tourism Board Maked it down the Runway

    Jordan to Host the FIA World Rally Championship ‘08

    Festivities Transform Madaba

    Jordan Bid To Host the 2013 WFNS Conference

New Board Members Elected

The Jordan Tourism Board’s general assembly successfully elected six members to represent them in the Board of Directors.  The incumbent new members Messrs Sami Sawalha (Regency), Mazen Qusous (Amman West), Abdul Hakeem Hindi (Century Park) representing the three hotel seats on the board were elected by acclimation. Messrs Mohammad Samih (Ashtar Tours; 49 votes), Bishara Sawalha (Tania Tours; 34 votes), and Mohannad Malhas (Abercrombie & Kent; 24 votes) were elected to the three tour operator seats. Mr. Samih is the only returning board member.

The other permanent seven members of the board are: Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr. Munir Nassar / Chairman of the Board, Royal Jordanian CEO Mr. Samer Al Majali, JTB Managing Director Mr. Mazen Homoud, CEO of the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation Mr. Yarub Qudah, Chairman of the Jordan Hotel Association Mr. Michael Nazzal, General Manager of Royal Wings Mr. Osama Faraj, and JETT tourist transportation company General Manager Mr. Malek Haddad.

In its first meeting the board unanimously appointed Mr. Michael Nazzal as Deputy Chairman of the Board.

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Board Appoints Executive Committee Members

In its first meeting, the new JTB Board of Directors decided to cancel the former Planning, Financial and Planning Committees and bestowed its powers to one central committee, that of the Executive Committee. The Board also appointed members of the Executive Committee. The new members are Messrs Michael Nazzal (JHA), Mazen Homoud (JTB), Osama Farraj (Royal Wings), Sami Sawalha (Regency), Mazen Qusous (Amman West), Abdul Karim Hindi (Century Park), Mohammad Samih (Ashtar Tours), Bishara Sawalha (Tania Tours), and Mohannad Malhas (Abercrombie & Kent).

The formation of one central committee came about to streamline procedures at JTB and to expedite approval the processes of many marketing matters that require the attention of the board. With fewer members, the Executive Committee can meet more frequently. Decisions of this committee must be endorsed by the Board of Directors once it convenes.

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Board Approves Budget Allocation

The Board of Directors of the Jordan Tourism Board unanimously endorsed the recommendations of JTB members on the distribution and allocation of the extraordinary budget earmarked by the government of Jordan and private sector.

JTB members were invited to a general meeting on October 3rd to discuss the best possible distribution of the JOD 4.5 million emergency budget provided by the government in collaboration with the private sector. The government granted a JOD 3.5 million budget for the JTB in an effort to assist the tourism sector to recover from the negative impacts of recent events in the Middle East. JTB members from the private sector have also agreed to contribute JOD 1 million to this fund. The discussions were moderated by H. E. Mr. Munir Nassar, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and Chairman of JTB Board. 

To offset the discussions, the JTB presented the gathering with two documents: a quantitative and a qualitative study on the twelve major source markets for tourism to Jordan. The first document took into consideration several factors affecting each market, giving each one a measurement: overall number of arrivals 2002-2005, air capacity, degree affected by recent regional unrest, first six months arrivals in 2006 and more.

The source markets were ranked according to the total weights with the highest score meaning the highest ability to produce based on the quantitative analysis. This ranking was altered in the second study produced by the Marketing Department as other factors were taken into consideration: elasticity of the market, prices of advertising, ability to spend, distribution base and others. In addition, the JTB presented the Planning Committee’s earlier distribution of funds in the different source markets.

After a two hour discussion, JTB members concurred with the Planning Committee’s allocation with a request of slight modifications as following: UK, France & Germany receiving JOD 700,000 each; Spain, Italy, USA and GCC receiving JOD 500,000 each

The Board of Directors of the Jordan Tourism Board unanimously endorsed the recommendations of JTB members on the distribution and allocation of the extraordinary budget earmarked by the government of Jordan and private sector.

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JTB Launches New Stand Design at WTM

The Jordan Tourism Board will launch a new stand design based on its recently launched brand at World Travel Market.
 

The stand reflects the same modernity as JTB's new promotional material and is characterized by an open space and defined by large and colorful backlit images picturing the various niche markets that Jordan offers. The new stand assumes its identity from the power of the pictures and graphics as opposed to the structure. The structure itself is a modern one depicting a modern nation while the pictures capture the history, heritage and the diversity of the tourism product.  The design creates a practical and visible setting which also offers a suitable business environment and maximized privacy for its users.

The design was presented to JTB members at the meeting held on October 3rd, 2006 and was unanimously endorsed.

The new stand design will be unveiled for the first time during WTM on November 6th. It will also be used in forthcoming exhibitions throughout 2007 & 2008. The launch of the new brand, stand and collateral will be captured center stage at the WTM before an audience studded with major press and peers in the industry.

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An Increase in Arrivals for the first Eight Months of 2006

Looking into the overnight tourists, statistics show that tourists from the American countries recorded the highest growth rate (62.5%), while tourists from Asia recorded a 3% decline over the past year.

Jordan’s largest market, the GCC, witnessed a 5.1% increase in the overnight tourists. It is interesting to note, however, that the GCC market (Overnight tourists) increased by over 16.1% in the first six months of the year.

Overnight Tourists by Region,  Jan - Aug
Region	2005	2006	Growth Rate
Total Arab: of which	1,279,822	1,262,534	-1.4 %
Gulf Countries	401,987	422,483	5.1 %
Total Europe	272,342	276,737	1.6 %
Total America	70,758	114,979	62.5 %
Total Asia	76,927	74,654	-3.0 %
Total Africa	5,764	8,147	41.3 %
Jordanians Residing Abroad	345,484	377,076	9.1 %
U.N	3,534	2,262	-36.0 %
Total	2,054,631	2,116,389	3.0 %

        

Markets where the JTB is directly operating through its offices recorded a significant 19.7 % increase for the first eight months of this year over the same period of the last one. This growth is the reasonable result for all the promotional activities that JTB has undertaken in its markets, despite the challenge of the political instability in the region.

Market	Overnight Tourists  (Jan – Aug)
	2005	2006	Growth Rate
North America	56787	108.423	90.9%
Austria	2051	3341	62.9%
U.K.	22219	34578	55.6%
Benelux	6138	9179	49.5%
Scandinavia	6095	9049	48.5%
Germany	13765	19726	43.3%
France	14042	19538	39.1%
Italy	9584	13102	36.7%
Switzerland	2650	3295	24.4%
Spain	10707	12125	13.2%
GCC	401987	422483	5.10%
Ukraine	1651	1696	2.8%
Russia	8660	8827	1.9%
Total	556337	665362	19.6%

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JTB Sponsors Event Management Essentials

The Jordan Tourism Board co-sponsored the Event Management Essentials, a two day seminar aimed at enhancing professional development in the fast growing events industry and sharing knowledge and experience. The seminar attracted 120 industry practitioners and professionals from the events industry throughout Jordan and the Middle East. The seminar, co-organized by Zara Expo and Events UnLimited, took place at Zara Expo on 17 and 18 October 2006. 

Mr. Awni Kawar, President of the Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association, delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of the events industry, as a component of MICE tourism, in attracting high-yield tourism into the country and the need for raising standards & professionalism in the industry to achieve higher growth rates.

The seminar aimed at professionals involved in all sorts of events, from cultural, to conferences, musical festivals, concerts, trade shows, sports tournaments, weddings, press conferences, product launches, award ceremonies, parades … etc.

The Event Management Essentials seminar tackled important issues related to event planning, event coordination, event marketing and sponsorship, event technology, event insurance and risk management, creativity for events, human resources and other important topics.
 
Speakers from the US, Australia, Dubai, Beirut and Jordan presented keynote speeches and highlighted several case studies from around the world that will add a great value to the event industry in Jordan

The Jordan Tourism Board supported this event for its aim at enriching and enhancing the quality of the MICE market and the managing services, and its efforts in developing Jordan’s services and enter the competitive market.

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Spanish Travel Agent Negotiating Groups

The new Spanish Travel Agent Negotiating Groups in addition to the existing Travel Agents Networks will require new ways to negotiate and do business in order to compete under the new developing tourism market negotiating techniques. 

Big Spanish Agency Networks and Negotiating Groups had in 2005 sales adding to 12,000 million Euros with 9,000 selling points.

An Agency Network is a group of Travel Agencies that operate under a single ownership, franchise or the same name: Halcon Viajes, Viajes Ecuador, OVER, El Corte Ingles, etc…

A Negotiating Group is a group of independent travel agencies that have grouped together in order to be strong. Both negotiate with airlines, tour operators, media channels, inbound operators, hotels etc… in order to obtain more strength, better prices, and/or better commissions.  

Originally, the concentration of sales by a few large Travel Agency Networks is what forced the rest of the agencies to group in order to compete. Today, there are just a few agencies left in Spain not integrated into the 20 top Negotiating Groups or part of the Large Agency Networks.

Between the Networks and the Negotiating Groups they already add up to 9,000 points of sale leaving only 500 individual agencies. A point of interest is that in Spain travel agencies increase and decrease yearly at a 10% a level so there is a need to follow up periodically ‘who is who’ and who negotiates for them.

The top 7 agency networks with 4000 points of sale control almost 40% of the available market with sales reaching almost 6,000 million Euros and growing at almost 12% per year. These networks are:

*Agency Network                 Points of Sale

Viajes El Corte Inglés             550
Viajes Halcon Ecuador         1238
Marsans Viajes                       710
Viajes Iberia                           560
Barceló Viajes                        432
Carlson Wagon-Lit                 150
Viajes Eroski                          275

Total                                     3915
* It is important to note that all Agency Networks offer Jordan as tourism destination.

On the other hand more than 6000 agencies have grouped as Negotiating Groups with sales reaching more than 5000 million Euros  

The Top Negotiating Groups ranked are:
GEBTA; GEA; AIRMET; GRUPO STAR; EUROPA VIAJES; TRAVEL ADVISORS; UNIDA; AVASA; OVER; CYBAS; AVANTOURS; QUALITAS; PLANTOUR; L&T; AMA; TELEVACACIONES; UNION COMERFCIAL, and AVA.

These Top Negotiating Groups have 2,639 Agencies with 5,164 points of sale and generated 6000 million Euros in 2005.

Examples of Groups are:
MARSANS with participation of Argentine Airlines, Air Plus, Viajes Marsans, Tiempo Libre, Pullmantour, Grupo Trapsa and Hoteltour. GLOBALIA with participation of Halcon-Ecuador, Travel Plan, Air Europa, Pepe Car, Globalia Hotels.

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The Motivation Show

JTBNA participated in The Motivation show on Sept. 26-28, in Chicago, Illinois. This is the world’s largest exhibition dedicated to motivation in business, and is the only national show that brings suppliers, resellers, and end-users together.

The event was attended by leading buyers from incentive and recognition programs, branded products and gift cards, recognition awards, motivational destinations, services, and attractions, promotional products, and related technology and other services.
 
The JTBNA booth was situated amongst other Middle Eastern participants including Egypt, Turkey, and Dubai. It was visited by 125 potential buyers, and representatives met with 35 buyers (incentive/meeting buyers; special interest/educational tours; religious groups, and FIT specialists). JTBNA was also able to meet with 13 new media contacts and 6 tour operators that already sell Jordan and were looking for additional ways to work with JTBNA and promote itineraries in North America.

One DMC attended from Jordan and had the opportunity to meet with various potential buyers from the different markets including incentive, meeting, and special interest tours, religious and other groups and FITs.

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Selling Jordan a Breeze with the ‘Jordan Expert’ Online Training in Germany

The launch of the Jordan Expert Online Training Program resulted in a record-breaking number of registrations in its opening weeks.  The most ever experienced by the training service provider. 

Though travel agents are expected to possess excellent product knowledge, the hectic climate in which they work often leaves little opportunity for first hand and personal research. To counteract this trend, the Jordan Tourism Board has developed an online education tool that will provide agents with a speedy and enjoyable means of learning about the destination. The free-of-charge program is accessible at www.jordanien-schulung.de and went online on September 20, 2006.

The easy-to-use online program is divided into clear and manageable sections broken down by Jordan’s tourism products. It includes various interactive elements such as slideshows and maps to facilitate and ease learning. A further advantage: agents can set their own pace throughout the program.

At the end of each section, a revision quiz is available for users to revise their newly-gained knowledge. Upon successful completion of a final quiz at the end of the program, travel agents receive a certificate and become qualified as a ‘Jordan Expert’ which entitles them to a range of benefits. This includes regular product updates and the opportunity to attend familiarization trips. A bonus gift is offered to those passing with a particularly good grade.

For further details and registration please visit www.jordanien-schulung.de

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The Jordan Tourism Board Made it down the Runway

The JTB promoted Jordan to an enormous audience of approximately 1.8 million viewers during the Milan Fashion week. Three state of the art oversized screens, with full color, motion and sound captured the attention of more than 25,000 fashion designers, models, actors, and top business executives as well as approximately 170,000 shoppers, tourists, and business professionals.

Two screens were located at the entrance of the Milan Velodrome, which was the venue for one of the top fashion events in the world and in the heart of the Milan business district Piazza San Bsabolia. JTB advertised on one of the screens with a 30 second ad which ran 42 times a day for nine consecutive days (total of 378 times).

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Jordan to Host the FIA World Rally Championship ‘08

Jordan will make history as it becomes the first Arab country to host a round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in April 2008.

The Federation Internationale de L’Automobile (FIA) announcement came after a meeting in Paris which followed 18 months of extensive lobbying and marketing that has helped the International Jordan Rally become one of the highest profile events in the rallying world.

 “The FIA has acknowledged the hard work that has gone into leaving no stone unturned here to realize our dream of becoming a FIA WRC event. We can now focus on welcoming the world to Jordan in 2008 and we will repay the FIA by hosting one of the world’s greatest and most unique motor sporting events.” HRH Prince Feisal, chairman of Jordan Motorsport, said in his statement. He also said that hosting this event will have a positive impact on the economy of Jordan.

Prince Feisal announced Jordan’s bid to become a future round of the FIA WRC in Monte Carlo in January 2005. An unmatched joint effort by all Jordanian citizens and government organizations and establishments, in addition to the private sector, backed up this dream of becoming part of an international event.

The WRC — the biggest event in auto sport — is run on all types of surfaces: Snow, gravel, tarmac and ice, and consists of 16 rounds.
Jordan’s inclusion in the 2008 calendar will open the door for the FIA and its stakeholders to 200 million Arab consumers and it becomes the final piece in the world governing body’s motor sporting jigsaw following F1 in Bahrain, Moto GP in Qatar, A1 in Dubai and World Off-road Championships in the UAE, according to Jordan Motorsport.

Jordan Motorsport is currently working on more special stages to extend the Jordan International Rally into a three-day event in 2008 and many of the new routes will be unveiled in the 2007 rally which will now become a full dress rehearsal.

With only 18 months before Jordan enters its new FIA WRC era, Jordan Motorsport says the hard work will continue right up until the day when the Arab world will welcome one of the most global sporting road shows.

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Festivities Transform Madaba

The center of Madaba was transformed into a bright and exciting gathering of pedestrian bustle and open-air entertainment as Layali Madaba opened on October 16th and ran daily until the first day of Eid.

The Madaba Tourism Development Association (MTA) with the support of the USAID-funded Jordan Tourism Development Project (Siyaha) and the sponsorship of the Bank of Jordan, in cooperation with the Madaba Municipality and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities launched Layali Madaba as the first initiative in the MTA’s Holiday Theme Program, which came as a direct result of the Madaba Tourism Development Strategy. The main objective of which is to brand Madaba as a premier local tourism destination during holiday seasons. The festival aims to attract local, resident and foreign visitors to this historic city for a unique cultural experience. Siyaha is supporting the Madaba Holiday Theme to help local business owners benefit from increased tourist traffic by increasing sales of handicrafts, food and bed nights. The next festival will be held around the Christmas Season with special programs for tourists, families and school children.

Madaba is well known for its intricate Byzantine mosaics and its fascinating religious history, but during October the city became a unique cultural attraction. As the focal point of the festival, the Madaba Visitor Center, and the surrounding streets, hosted around 16,000 people throughout the course of the event. One of the city’s main streets leading to the center was converted into a pedestrian area, allowing visitors to stroll leisurely along the street, which was illuminated and decorated especially for the festival. The festival area was filled with stalls selling handicrafts including mosaic items, and food stalls and cafes with Ramadan sweets and drinks, enabling some late-night shopping and entertainment. The area was vibrant with activity and oriental music, hosting a wide range of performers such as music bands, comedic plays, folklore dance groups and magicians. Families and children were kept entertained with face painting, games, a jumping castle, cartoon characters and shows.

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Jordan Bid To Host the 2013 WFNS Conference

In its bid to enhance the position of Jordan as a leading Middle Eastern player in health care management and delivery, the Society of Jordanian Neurosurgeons in association with the Pan Arab Neurosurgical Society are bidding to host the WFNS (World Federation of Neurological Surgeons) meeting in 2013. This meeting which is attended usually by around 3000 neurosurgeons from all over the world is the main forum for discussing new advances in neurosurgery. It is held every 4 years in a location that is worthy of the occasion and has all the facilities to support such a grand conference. Previous venues were the likes of Berlin, Sydney, Boston and Marakesh. The bid is receiving strong support internationally, and the voting will take place in November 2007. Jordan’s main competitors will be Japan and South Korea. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Jordan Tourism Board are putting great efforts in supporting and preparing the bid. The conference will be held in the Dead Sea area which is renowned for its conference and hotel facilities. Accommodations to host such a large number of participants will be shared by hotels in both the Dead Sea and Amman.