Jordan tourism seeks to capitalize on Petra discovery

#JORDAN’S tourism and antiquities ministry has confirmed the discovery of a significant monument in #Petra. 

The discovery was recently reported by archaeologists Sarah Parcak and Chris Tuttle in a study published in The Journal of American Schools of Oriental Research.

The find – aided by Google Earth, satellite imaging, and drone technology – suggests that the ancient city of Petra was larger than was previously thought. Although the site has not been excavated yet, pottery found near the structure dates it back to the 1st century AD.

‘We’re very excited to see the enthusiasm with which this amazing finding has been welcomed globally, hoping it bodes well for Jordan’s tourism industry,’ said Lina Annab, Jordan’s minister of tourism and antiquities.’

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Jordan hopes to attract Brits with six-month campaign ‘There is nothing to worry about in Jordan’ – Tourism chief

JORDAN’S tourist board is planning a six-month campaign intended to combat what it believes are ‘misconceptions’ about the destination and to attract Brits to the country. 

The board is investing a six-figure sum in the campaign, which will run major UK cities including London and Manchester. More than 40 taxis branded with Jordan's campaign messages will be on London’s streets, as well as 100 buses, digital panels and LCD screens in underground and train stations. 

Much of the campaign will be linked to Hollywood movie #TheMartian, which was filmed in Wadi Rum in #Jordan.

Adel Amin, director of marketing at the tourist board, said the campaign aimed to highlight the differences between Jordan and other nations. He said problems in Syria and Egypt had caused a negative effect, with tourism numbers slipping.

Amin said the campaign would ‘destroy any misconceptions’ people had about Jordan. ‘They will show the variety of holiday types available in Jordan and that it's business as usual … there is nothing to worry about in Jordan,’ he said.

The UK is Jordan's biggest source market in Europe and second biggest worldwide after the US.

Mr Amin added: ‘The campaign is designed to show Brits what the country has to offer, and inspire them to visit, as well as extend support to you, our trade partners. The campaign will highlight areas such as Petra, The Dead Sea, Wadi Rum and Aqaba. Our objective was to create desire and intrigue through a combination of thought-provoking headlines and stunning visuals.

‘With so many beautiful locations, we decided to create separate creative treatments, enabling us to really do justice to each stunning location within Jordan.’

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Picture Credit: Jordan tourist board

Equine charity launches responsible tourism campaign

AN international taskforce co-ordinated by global equine welfare charity the Brooke has launched a responsible tourism campaign at Petra, the UNESCO World Heritage site in Jordan.

The Care for Petra campaign aims to improve tourist attitudes and behaviour towards working animals, working children, and the historic monuments of Petra in Jordan, where injured or weak donkeys and horses are used to transport tourists around the site.

The campaign provides advice for tourists on ways to prevent animal suffering at the site, and encourages visitors to enjoy the monuments on foot wherever possible.

Very young children work on the site selling souvenirs and offering donkey rides. The awareness campaign asks visitors not to buy items from children or give them money, as this encourages them to stay out of school.

www.thebrooke.org

Go Holiday editor David Kernek comments:  This charity, clearly, does good work, but its arguments should not be put only to the tourists who ride on these cruelly-treated creatures and who buy mostly trash from the children at tourist sites such as Petra. This is also a problem in Greece where in towns such as Lindos on Rhodes, less-than-healthy donkeys are used to carry tourists – many of them obese – up to ancient sites on clifftops. It should be the responsibility of public authorities to ensure that animals are properly looked after, and that children are not forced to run these shoddy businesses.

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Picture Credit: www.thebrooke.org