Jordan an ideal destination for regional, int’l conferences, meetings — sector leader

AMMAN — Jordan is an ideal destination for regional and international high-profile meetings, according to a hospitality industry insider. 

Kamel Ajami, Jordan country manager of Hilton Worldwide, described the Kingdom as a perfect destination for regional and international meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE). 

“Today, with political turmoil taking its toll on neighbouring countries, Jordan continues to boast a safe standing in the region, enhancing its position as a MICE haven,” Ajami told The Jordan Times in a recent interview.

“The Kingdom features the necessary infrastructure to make any event successful, backed with a plethora of internationally renowned tourism sites,” he added.

Hilton Worldwide is the hospitality group that manages the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre
(KHBTCC) at the Dead Sea, which hosted the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Middle East and North Africa between May 21 and 23. 

Ajami cited the strategic location of the Kingdom — at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe — as another advantage that qualifies Jordan for hosting small- and large-scale functions of global significance.

Citing the importance of hosting the WEF nine times in the Kingdom, and eight times at
KHBTCC, Ajami said it places Jordan on the global map and highlights the country’s unique role in the region, in addition to shedding light on investment and economic opportunities.

“The WEF has played a major role in promoting the state-of-the-art Hilton KHBTCC not just regionally, but internationally,” he added. 

“The centre takes pride in being chosen as the WEF’s destination of choice in the region,” he added. 

Ajami, who is also Hilton’s vice president of operations for Saudi Arabia, said the 285-room Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa, adjacent to the centre, will open its doors to guests this year. 

“The resort presents a strategic extension to the centre, making it the pre-eminent business and leisure complex in the region,” he said.

Established in 2005, KHBTCC is the largest stand-alone convention centre in the Kingdom and one of the most prominent in the region as it can accommodate more than 3,000 guests and includes 27 conference halls, lounges, foyers and several outdoor terraces on 24,000 square metres of floor space, he said.

Ajami noted that the centre’s strategic location on the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, and proximity to the Kingdom’s internationally renowned tourism sites, makes it a standout destination for a full-rounded travel experience combining leisure and business. 

The centre recently won the Best Conference/Convention Centre Award in the 2014 MENA Travel Awards. It also received the Best Conference Centre in the Middle East Award in 2006, 2008, and 2011.  

In addition to WEF, Ajami said the KHBTCC has hosted a variety of small- and large-scale events across various sectors, such as the MENA ICT Forum, Asian Soccerex Forum and Regional Teachers Skills Forum.

The centre was also the venue for several cultural events including Music Hall and the Dead Sea Sunset Swing Jazz Concert.