WASHINGTON --
ASTA unveiled an educational course for travel agents June 22
interested in sharpening their ability to sell travel to Jordan.
The Jordan
Destination Specialist course is available on CD-Rom and was
crafted in cooperation with the government of Jordan and written by
Sue Wilder, who has developed several other specialist courses for
ASTA.
It is probably
one of the most elaborate destination specialist programs available
on the market, said Malia Asfour, director of the Jordan Tourism
Board, North America at a press conference at the Jordanian embassy
here.
Regarding the
program, Asfour said agents would learn that Jordan is
multi-faceted in terms of both its culture and the experiences it
can offer travelers.
He also added
that Jordan is already proving itself to be a popular destination
for the U.S. travel market, 
adding that inbound arrivals from the U.S.
this year are already running 25% ahead of the first part of
2005.
I think one of
the reasons why the American market has grown is the fact that
there is recognition of the role that Jordan plays in the Middle
East, Asfour said. Jordan, a U.S. ally, has always been committed
to peace, he noted.
Jordans role as
peace broker in the turbulent Middle East was underscored by the
fact that on June 22, the same day as the specialist press
conference, Jordans King Abdullah II was sponsoring a meeting
between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas at Petra, the famed stone city in
Jordan.
Jordan has always
been a champion of peace, Asfour said. And I think that has come
across to the rest of the world.
Calling the
people of Jordan warm... friendly, and most welcoming, Bill
Maloney, ASTAs executive vice president and COO, said the country
is remarkable. Jordan is a must-see for all American travelers. It
has the places that will enchant them, captivate them and enrich
them. Places that are unrivaled today.
Maloney,
recalling his first visit to Petra, said Jordans attractions should
have broad appeal to todays travelers from the U.S.
[Petra contains]
the most breathtaking series of artifacts I have ever seen, Maloney
said. You can walk it for days and days and days and still find new
and wonderful things, which makes Jordan tailor made for todays
travelers.
Clients today
dont just want to go to places, he said. They want to have
experiences and they can have wonderful experiences of all kinds in
Jordan.
The course on
CD-ROM is being offered at the introductory price of $64 for ASTA
members and $74 for non-members. A pdf version is available for $44
for members, $54 for non-members. Prices for the course will
increase by $15 after Aug. 31.
For more
information, visit www.astanet.com/education/studycourse_jordan.asp.
To contact reporter Michael Milligan, send e-mail to [email protected].