“Visited Jordan this week, so much to see and experience! We visited the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus, Petra and all its fascinations, camels, and the spot where the big boulder comes rolling out of Indiana Jones. So much history there in the ‘Rose City,’ voted one of the 7 new wonders of the world. It takes 3 days to really see it all, we only spent 3 hours. Put it on your must see list if you haven’t already!” — Oprah Winfrey, March 2023
Seasons Greetings from JTBNA
As we approach the end of this year and reflect on our shared accomplishments, I’m filled with pride. The JTBNA family has dedicated itself to keeping you informed about all the wonders of Jordan, connecting with you through various channels such as blog posts, newsletters, visits, trade-show meetings, Zoom calls and more.
We’ve seen you at prestigious events including the USTOA Out of Country meeting in March and AdventureElevate Near East in October. Our collective efforts extended across North America and beyond borders to paint Jordan’s narrative not only as a country but a cradle of meaningful travel, using the Jordan Meaningful Travel Map that we created with @tourismcares.
Our goal in 2024 is to position sustainability at the center of our endeavors, aiming to expand The Meaningful Travel Map locations across the Kingdom and implement new practices addressing climate issues, poverty alleviation, education and female empowerment.
During the holiday season, we extend warm wishes to everyone and in these challenging times, we hope for peace, light and goodwill.
Seasons Greetings,
Malia & the JTBNA Team
Craft, culture and cuisine in Amman, Jordan's mountain-fringed capital
The skyline of Amman looks a bit like a game of Tetris. From the top of the Bronze Age Citadel, the city’s highest point, the view seemingly comprises tiny blocks of tightly compacted, limestone houses strewn with washing, topped with water tanks and interspersed with the odd cypress tree. The clear blue sky is occasionally pierced by one of the city’s many minarets. The soundtrack, a cacophony of traffic and car horns honking from the streets below, is soothed by the echoes of the call to prayer.
Al Sela village in Jordan has made the list of the Best Tourism Villages 2023 issued by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
“The accolade recognises villages that are leading in nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values and culinary traditions,” said UNWTO in a statement issued last week. In its third edition, the list honours 54 villages selected from approximately 260 applications. Twenty villages were also selected this year to join the UNWTO Upgrade Programme, which helps villages meet the recognition criteria through addressing identified gaps during the evaluation.
Jordan's Young Bedouins Are Documenting Their Traditions on TikTok
Amid the sandstone cliffs of Petra, a group of Bedouin gathers under a starlit sky to share stories passed down through generations. It's a scene that has been replayed in this ancient Nabatean city for centuries, but today a new medium is weaving its way into the narrative. As TikTok and Instagram gain traction across Jordan, Petra's Bedouin are using them to connect with global audiences, casting their tales across vast distances and cultural divides.
Petra's dramatic Treasury didn't really serve as a treasury
One of the world’s great archeological structures appears to have been given the wrong moniker. Petra, Jordan’s The Treasury — routinely used in Jordanian tourism promotions and which appeared in the blockbuster movie Indiana Jones and The Final Crusade — doesn’t appear to have been a treasury at all, but instead likely served as a tomb for a Nabatean royal figure.
Join me for a fantastic, fun filled adventure in Aqaba and The Dead Sea Jordan! In this episode, I share my experience, exploring the sights, tastes and fun on my time in and around the stunning watery landscape in Aqaba, canyoneering in Wadi Mujib and the Dead Sea. From beautiful scenery to ancient history, vegan eats and everything in between.
Jordan is unquestionably a great place to bone up on your Biblical knowledge.
The country has dozens of Biblical sites, including ones that are at the very core of Christianity, playing a hugely important role for devotees of the faith. “We have some people for whom the main reason they come is for the Holy Land,” says Amman-based tour guide Michel Safar. Jordan says it’s as deserving of the Holy Land title as bordering Israel. Among sites that can be appreciated by those interested in Christianity is Bethany Beyond the Jordan, found by the east bank of the Jordan River and which archeologists have identified as the site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.
Yulia Denisyuk, a renowned travel journalist, photographer, and writer, leads a podcast called Travel Media Lab. She explores captivating stories about individuals and destinations that make our world as fascinating as it is.
Try our new Automatic Trip Planner powered by HipTraveler! Planning your trip to Jordan has never been easier. Simply input your travel style, length of stay, and the type of experience you seek - our planner will build a personalized itinerary for you that can be used to plan and book your trip. Build your perfect Jordan journey today!
The rolling desert dunes of Wadi Rum. The buoyant, restorative waters of the Dead Sea. The millennia-old majesty of Petra. And oooh, the shawarma. For ancient history, "Are we still on Earth?” views, and all things hummus, Jordan is your jam.
Biblical and Historic Jordan is jam-packed with visits that appeal to travelers with a particular interest in ancient times. Each day reveals more about the long and sacred history of this amazing nation.
Travel to the ‘Rose City’ of Petra, the highlight on this Jordan trip. But there’s more to discover as you learn about Jordanian culture with the Khzoz family, have dinner with a Bedouin tribe and spend a soulful night gazing at the clear night’s sky when you stay in Wadi Rum desert.
Have you been to Jordan and want to share about your experience or are you thinking of going to Jordan and want to know what people thought? Either way, visit our testimonials page to join the conversation!
