Amman – The government of Jordan plans to expand promotion of the country as a tourist destination for Brazilians. According to the Jordanian minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Maha Khatib, the ministry, through the Jordan Tourism Board, should soon contemplate a representative to take care of promotion operations in Brazil.
At a meeting with Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce president Salim Taufic Schahin, on Monday (9th), she also said that Jordan plans to promote road shows in Brazil to promote its tourism actions.
Schahin spoke about the current Globo TV 8:00 pm soap opera, “Viver a Vida” (Living Life), which had some of its scenes shot in Jordan, which should help boost the interest of Brazilians in the country. “I know, that is why we let them shoot in Petra,” she said, referring to the most famous historic site locally.
The ambassador of Jordan to Brazilian capital Brasília, Ramez Goussous, added that after the visit of king Abdullah II and queen Rania to Brazil, in 2008, and the start of the new soap opera, the number of visa requests at the embassy has risen significantly.
Schahin said that the Arab Brazilian Chamber may help in this effort for promotion and added that the organisation has recently established a Tourism Committee, led by director Adel Auada, former president of the Brazilian Travel Agency Association (Abav). Jordan has been participating in events in the sector in Brazil, including the traditional Abav fair, in Rio de Janeiro.
According to the minister, the tourism sector in Jordan is more and more looking towards Brazil. He said that recently one of the main travel operators in the country sold packages with 36 charter flights to Brazilian visitors. “There is great potential,” he said.
The deputy director general at the Jordan Tourism Board, Fayiz Khouri, added that the Brazilian market is currently among the main targets of Jordan. “Brazil is one of the only economies that managed to grow despite the crisis,” he said.
He pointed out that the organisation he manages plans to go on inviting Brazilian journalists to visit the country, as a way of strengthening promotion, as well as publishing a site in Portuguese.
In the first half, Jordan invited journalists and tourism professionals from Brazil and other nations in South America to accompany the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the country. Khouri also pointed out that the soap opera is a great tool for public relations.
The meeting also included Arab Brazilian Chamber director Mustapha Abdouni and Nour Al Hmoud, from the Jordan Investment Board.
*Translated by Mark Ament
