‘Tourism Ministry raising awareness of sector’s role, opportunities’

AMMAN — Tourism Minister Lina Annab on Thursday said the ministry is implementing a national plan to raise awareness of tourism, in cooperation with the education and higher education ministries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The plan aims to further awareness among citizens of the importance of the tourism sector in improving the national economy. 

It seeks to enhance public knowledge of the value of jobs in tourism and the importance of the Kingdom’s historical and cultural heritage, Annab said.

She noted that the ministry has been implementing an awareness-raising programme that has so far targeted 13,000 students.

The initiative is being conducted in cooperation with the Jordan Tour Guides Association, which has provided 80 of its tour guides to deliver lectures.

The programme, funded by the ministry, will target 5 million students in the next five years, she added.

Annab said the ministry is continuing to support “Al Urdun Ahla” programme to enhance domestic tourism. 

The campaign has expanded to include Petra, Ajloun, Madaba, Aqaba, Shobak and Jerash.

The ministry has also organised six tourist festivals in several regions across the Kingdom, the minister said.

She added that the ministry aims to meet the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy for 2017-2021, through “comprehensive measures” and investment projects.

Among the ministry’s goals are the improvement of the administration of tourist attractions, tourist products and the conservation of archaeological and heritage resources.

Annab stressed the importance of enhancing and stimulating excellence in the tourism sector, through improving legislation, administration and monitoring; raising awareness of tourism; enhancing the ministry’s role as a main source of data; and increasing cooperation with the private sector.