Jordan, a relatively small landlocked country with a population numbering to approximately 10 million is beautiful in every aspect. A scenic beauty, Jordan is surrounded by Dead Sea to its west and Red Sea in its extreme south-west. Ashit Taneja, Country Head, Jordan Tourism Board, Representative Office of India, talk about The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with Millennium Post.
In the recent past, Jordan has become a must-do on every intrepid travellers list from India. What are your views?
Jordan still is and will remain one of the safest destinations to visit. It is a very stable country. This can be attributed to a number of factors, namely, the leadership, the people per se, their moderation, open-minded thinking process and the way of living, all these factors combined have given Jordan the leverage it needs. The leadership of King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein and prior to that, his father’s has been highly instrumental in building that base. All major powers in the region want Jordan to remain that way. Odd incidents may happen here and there, but Jordan is as safe as any other tourist destination anywhere in the world. I believe the major incentive for Indian travellers would be to offer visa on arrival for Indians.
Can you comment on Jordan-India’s bilateral ties?
The relationship between Republic of India and Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan goes long back. The two countries signed their first bilateral agreement for cooperation and friendly relations in 1947, which was formalised in 1950 when the two countries established full-fledged diplomatic ties. The friendly relations, mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries has developed over the years in political, economic and cultural aspects.
Can you tell us about the Indian community in Jordan and its local engagement in the fabric of the country?
Jordan is home to more than 10,000 Indians, who are employed in textile, construction, manufacturing sectors, fertilizer companies, health sector, universities, IT, financial companies and multilateral organisation. There are about 25 garment factories across Jordan owned by Indians with an investment of over $ 300 million and employing over 10,000 people.
Is India a promising market for Jordan in terms of tourism?
India is a big nation with millions of people travelling each year. Almost 50,000 Indians visited Jordan in 2016 and I want to pass on the message to the fellow Indians that Jordanians are very welcoming, warm by heart and extend their courtesy to the travellers. Jordan offers an excellent blend of tradition, culture along with developed infrastructure and world class hospitality services. Jordanian food and the great experiences of Dead Sea, Petra and Wadi Rum make it distinct from other countries.