AMMAN - An official delegation of tourism industry professionals are preparing to head to the Spanish capital this week to take part in one of the world's foremost travel and trade fairs.
The four-day International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) which opens in Madrid on January 28, is a key meeting point for business exchanges and networking between tourism industry representatives.
It provides a crucial platform for tourism industries and companies to discuss new strategies and market their destinations and products. More than 13,000 companies are expected to take part in this year's event, including hundreds of business professionals from across the tourism and travel industry.
Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) Managing Director Nayef Al Fayez said the Jordanian delegation comprises 18 industry representatives.
"Once again, Jordan will be taking part in FITUR and our partners will be working to promote the Kingdom as a tourism destination under these challenging circumstances," said Fayez.
"It will include meetings with sector representatives, members of the international travel media and travel professionals who can share ideas and solutions on overcoming challenges ahead," he added.
Like other competing travel destinations, Jordan will be looking at promoting the country's travel appeal by offering attractive deals, the JTB official told The Jordan Times yesterday.
He explained that while the concept of "value for money" should always be a driving factor in any package deal, that concept was "all the more crucial under the current global economic situation".
This year's FITUR will include officials and representatives from Spanish wholesalers, tour operators, travel agencies, carrier companies, hotels, trade associations, service companies and organisations specialising in leisure and culture tourism, the travel media and entities in the field of tourism training and education.
The Kingdom's delegation, headed by Tourism Minister Maha Khatib includes representatives of Karma House, Golden Crown Tours, Al Hani Travel and Tourism, Discovery Travel Jordan, Marriott Hotel Amman, Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, InterContinental Hotels Group Jordan (Crowne Plaza Amman) Movenpick Hotels and Resorts, Jordan Experience Tours and Adviser Travel and Tourism.
Royal Jordanian and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority are also participating in the event.
Fayez said he will be leaving ahead of the opening to attend a series of meetings organised by the World Tourism Organisation, addressing the current challenges facing tourism industries amidst the global economic crisis.
Visitor and exhibitor participation at FITUR has risen steadily over recent years as the international trade fair grows in popularity. According to FITUR figures, the event attracted 255,817 people last year, a 2.6 per cent increase from 2007. Trade participants totalled 157,299, a 3.6 per cent increased from 2007.
By Dalya Dajani
© Jordan Times 2009
