The Jordanian Tourism Ministry signed with Arab Tourism Organization, based in Jeddah, a memorandum of understanding for establishing Jordan Fund for Tourist Development with a capital of $300 Million.
The agreement was signed by Bandar bin Fahad Al Fahid for the Arab Tourism Organization, and Osama El-Dabbas Minister of Tourism on behalf of Jordanian Ministry of Tourism and Archeology.
The two parties signed the convention of Regional Office of the Arab Tourism Organization in the city of Amman, in addition to signing of Marriott International Hotels chain an agreement that the chain would grant members of the organization VIP services.
The Jordanian Minister of Tourism Osama El-Dabbas pointed out that Saudi investments in the Jordanian Tourism sector are continually growing, as a Saudi Jordanian company invested $ 200 Million for establishing a distinguished hotel on the Dead Sea.
Following the signature of agreements Mr. El-Dabbas said that number of Saudi tourists who paid visits to Jordan during 2006 amounted to 207000 tourists who spent a total of 300 Million Jordanian Dinars.
He added that Jordan is enjoying a large infra-structure for supporting the tourists movement in all regions and areas, as number of hotel rooms peaked to around 20000 while there are 10000 rooms are under construction.
This would lead to encouraging tourists to visit sites of Jordan, particularly as the Arab tourists totaled 60% of all tourists coming to Jordan, which qualify Jordan as a distinguished place for spending holidays for Arab family.
He pointed out that Jordanian Ministry of Tourism will cooperate with Supreme Tourism Authority which Secretariat is presided over by HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, within the framework of restoration of Tourist monuments in both countries and developing them.
On his part the Chairman of Arab Tourism Organization Bandar bin Fahad Al Fahid highlighted the support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the organization and the role of Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz in enhancing the organization and its establishment in the Kingdom.
He also indicated the accomplishments of the organization through the Arab Tourism Ministerial Council and other conventions signed by the organization that are related to the (Tourism Bank, Tourism Development Funds, Training and Qualification Activities, Air, Land and Sea Transport companies and Time Share)>
