Visitors on Package Tours to Jordan Rise by 48.4 Pct in Q1

The number of visitors on package tours to Jordan jumped by 48.4 percent in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period of last year, official figures showed on Sunday.

The figures, released by the Ministry of Tourism, revealed that some 101,311 tourists on package tours visited the country between January and March compared to 68,279 in the same period of 2007.

According to the figures, visitors' average stay also increased by around 7.3 percent to 4.4 nights during the period compared to 4.1 last year.

Tourism Ministry Secretary General Farouk Al Hadidi said the country was working hard to keep abreast of the developments needed to meet and sustain such growth.

As part of the efforts, a training workshop was conducted targeting around 400 taxi drivers operating in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, which focused on enhancing their communication skills with tourists, and educating them on different sites and the importance of being honest in maintaining the country's image.

Some 250 tourist police also received training on how to deal with visitors.

Additionally, special attention will be attached to tourist services in the ancient city of Petra, with stricter regulations for operators such as owners of horse carriages, ranging from the welfare of their horse and the rates they charge, to their attire.

Notice boards will be posted in different sites to inform visitors of the services they are entitled to, according to the Tourism Ministry. 

Source: CRIEnglish