Visit Jordan and Avanti Destinations have launched a joint campaign to train advisors on independent travel to five destinations in Jordan, which is currently open to American tourists. As part of the campaign, Avanti has introduced eight recommended vacation packages, 23 luxury hotels, 42 experiences and activities with private transfers and private English-speaking guides throughout Jordan.
The joint educational campaign features a new 38-page e-brochure “Visit Jordan: Land of Lost Cities and Ancient Treasures,” designed to be shared with clients and also also launched a microsite with videos, the e-brochure, Covid information, and an image gallery, as well as information about the Jordan Travel Specialist program, graduates of which become eligible for FAM trips. Travel advisors will be eligible to earn a $25 gift card for each booking made before Oct. 1, 2021 for at least two nights in Jordan worth a minimum of $2,500 (land). Travel must take place before Dec. 31, 2021. In addition, a webinar will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
The e-brochure includes a map, travel times within Jordan, and descriptions of the five Jordanian destinations featured in the eight new land FIT packages: the capital Amman, first settled 9,000 years ago and filled with sites from Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic times; the Red Sea diving, snorkeling and beach resort city of Aqaba; the salt- and mineral-rich Dead Sea, where anyone can float; the Lost City of Petra, carved into rose-colored sandstone cliffs by the ancient Nabateans in the third century BCE and filming location of “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade;” and the red sand desert wilderness of Wadi Rum, known as “Valley of the Moon,” where clients can stay overnight in luxury beneath the stars and experience the traditional life of Bedouins.
Jordan is the latest addition to Avanti’s lineup in the Middle East and North Africa. In response to requests from travel advisors, the company added Morocco in late 2019 and Egypt in January of this year.
“We are excited to partner with Visit Jordan on this educational program to show travel advisors how much there is to see and do in this multifaceted country,” said Paul Barry, CEO of Avanti Destinations, in a press statement. “This is the part of the world where western civilization and three major religions were born. Clients can see sights that go back 9,000 years, including places mentioned in the Old and New Testament, Roman ruins, Byzantine mosaics, early Islamic architecture, medieval desert fortresses, the dramatic Mars-like landscape of Wadi Rum, and the colorful coral reefs and beaches of the Red Sea, a world-class diving and snorkeling destination.”
“We are thrilled to work with Avanti Destinations and excited that they chose Jordan which offers incredible experiences full of history, adventure, and pure for every traveler,” said Malia Asfour, director of the Jordan Tourism Board North America, in press materials.
“I am most excited to share my country with travelers who value connecting with local people, eating local dishes, and engaging with the history and culture of a destination like Jordan. It has been a tough couple of years, and travel can help heal and create joy. We look forward to welcoming your clients to Jordan and introducing them to our Bedouin hospitality,” Asfour added.
New Vacation Packages
Avanti’s new FIT packages in Jordan are for four, six, eight, 10,
or 12 days. All include stays in Amman, Petra, and the Dead Sea; additional destinations are included in longer packages, and advisors can select from 23 luxury accommodations. A la carte options for experiences and activities are also available in Amman and the Dead Sea; elsewhere they are preset.
Eight New Vacation Packages:
- Biblical Jordan:10 days/9 nights visiting Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea. Includes a private Amman walking tour with market visit and tasting stops; private tour of the Roman ruins of Jerash, the medieval desert castle of Ajloun, and the Christian pilgrimage site of Anjara, where Jesus, Mary and the disciples walked and rested in a cave; a private tour of three desert castles from the 7th to the 13th centuries, noted for their early Islamic art; tour of the archeological site of Umm el-Jimal, once and important Byzantine town; tours of Mt Nebo (where Moses was buried) and Umm ar-Rasas, a UNESCO World Heritage site mentioned in the Old Testament, with extensive ruins from Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic times; a private Petra tour with one day entrance; bread baking class in Petra; private Bedouin Jeep tour in Wadi Rum; tour of Bethany Beyond the Jordan (where John baptized Jesus); luxurious desert camp at Wadi Rum; visit to Mukawer, hilltop stronghold of Herod; optional activities at the Dead Sea; private transfers and private English-speaking guide throughout; daily breakfast.
- Grand Tour of Jordan:12 days/11 nights in all five destinations: Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba and the Dead Sea. Includes a private Amman walking tour with market visit, tasting stops, and a visit to the Royal Society for Conservation of Nature; private tour of Um Qais, called Gadara in ancient times, where Jesus performed the miracle of the Gadarene swine, and Jerash, one of the best preserved ancient Roman towns, hidden under sand until the 19th century; tour of the Greek Orthodox church at Madaba with a 6th century map of the Holy Land; tour of Mt. Nebo (where Moses was buried) and the ruins of Shobak, a 12th century Crusader castle; private Petra tour and 2-day entrance; Bedouin Jeep tour in Wadi Rum; dinner and overnight at Wadi Rum luxury desert camp; Bethany Beyond the Jordan tour (where John baptized Jesus); private transfers and private English-speaking guide throughout; optional activities at the Dead Sea; daily breakfast.
- Jordan Discovery:6 days/5 nights in Amman, Petra, and the Dead Sea. This itinerary includes a private Amman walking tour; visit and lunch at the Women’s Cooperative project designed to create jobs making handicrafts in Iraq Al-Amir (optional crafts workshop may be added); a private art tour of the bohemian Jabal Al-Weibdeh quarter; private tour and mosaic workshop at Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art; tour of Mt. Nebo (where Moses is buried); private tour of Petra; private dinner with a Petra family; traditional cooking class and bread baking class in Petra; Bedouin Jeep tour of Wadi Rum; private transfers and private English-speaking guide throughout; optional activities at the Dead Sea; daily breakfast.
- Ultimate Jordan:8 days/7 nights in Amman, Wadi Rum, Petra and the Dead Sea. This trip includes a private tour of Jerash, one of the best preserved ancient Roman towns, hidden under sand until the 19th century, followed by private tour of Amman; overnight in a luxurious desert camp; private Petra tour and 2-day entrance; optional tour to Little Petra, another rich archeological site, and optional class learning to make traditional Jordanian dishes; tour of the Greek Orthodox church at Madaba with a 6th century map of the Holy Land; tour of Mt. Nebo (where Moses was buried); optional activities at the Dead Sea; daily breakfast.
For more information, visit the travel agent portal at book.avantidestinations.com.
