AMMAN – Jordanian Tourism and Antiquities Minister Lina Annab lauded on Sunday relations between Egypt and Jordan in the tourism domain, terming as important co-operation between the two countries in the tourism field.
Speaking to MENA, the minister expressed hope of further cooperation between the two countries in the tourism sector within the coming period.
She said there are constant directives from King Abdullah II and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah El Sisi to exert more efforts to boost bilateral co-operation, especially in the tourism domain, saying this file is a top priority for the two countries.
As for the Holy Family Trail project, the minister said continuous efforts are being made to co-operate with Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on this sacred trail, saying mutual understanding and consultations between Cairo and Amman are the foundation of their relationship marked by the exchange of expertise.
She said the Holy Family trail and Christian pilgrimage sites in Jordan, which include five Vatican-approved sites, add significant value to religious and spiritual tourism in the region, especially as tourists consistently choose Egypt and Jordan as key destinations.
She underlined the importance of leveraging this potential to make both Egypt and Jordan leading destinations for Christian religious tourism.
Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism & Antiquity has launched the Holy Family Trail, which maps out some 25 stops along the celebrated route and comprises some of the country’s oldest houses of worship, including Church of the Blessed Virgin. The ministry has also been attempting to renovate these holy sites, enhancing them with landscaping, lighting and signage; improving the access roads; and developing accommodations along the route.
Regarding the inauguration of the Baptismal Site Church of Jesus Christ in the Baptism Site area under the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, she termed as important the event that comes as part of preparations for the celebration of the 2000th anniversary of Jesus Christ’s baptism, which will be commemorated in 2030.
She said the Baptismal Site Church is the largest Latin Patriarchate church in the Middle East, with significant spiritual importance as the late Pope Benedict XVI laid its foundation stone on May 10, 2009.
She reiterated the Jordanian government and people’s support of the Palestinian people, calling for an end to the flagrant Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.
She said the tourism sector in Jordan was badly affected by regional developments, particularly the war on Gaza, saying the ministry is working on providing appropriate solutions and plans to attract tourists to the kingdom.
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