Amman, Aug. 16 (Petra) — Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association
(JITOA) and South African Embassy in Jordan on Sunday discussed
opportunities to expand tourism cooperation, with a focus on faith
tourism and vision to attract more South African visitors to the
Kingdom.

JITOA Chairman Nabih Riyal and South African Ambassador to Jordan
Tselane Mokuena discussed ways to develop joint tourist programs and
routes, according to an association statement.

The discussions focused on opportunities in faith tourism,
highlighting Jordan’s “significant” religious and historical sites
and the sector’s promising potential to attract more visitors from
South Africa.

During the meeting, Riyal called for strengthening cooperation with
the South African Embassy and relevant authorities to develop joint
initiatives and programs that would open new opportunities for
inbound tourism and strengthen Jordan’s presence in the South African
market.

Mokuena, in turn, expressed interest in strengthening cooperation
with the association and supporting efforts to develop tourist ties
between the two countries, particularly in faith tourism, to boost
tourist exchanges and broaden cooperation between the tourism
sectors.

The JITOA said the meeting also went over opportunities linked to
2030, which will mark 2,000 years since key events and milestones in
Christian history.

The JITOA said the occasion could provide a “global” opportunity to
promote faith tourism and Christian pilgrimage, given Jordan’s
religious significance and its links to several biblical sites.

Both sides stressed the importance of using the occasion to promote
Jordan as a “leading” faith-tourism destination and strengthen ties
with markets interested in this area, particularly S. Africa.

As for future steps, they discussed possibility of organizing
roadshows in major S. African cities and markets to promote Jordan’s
travel and religious attractions and explore cooperation with tour
operators and travel agencies.

//Petra// NQ