Lonely Planet lists Jordan among world’s top 10 destinations

AMMAN — Jordan was recently placed among the list of top countries to be visited in 2019 by Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel” guide.

The Kingdom has been named one of the 10 most coveted destinations for 2019 in the guide published by the world-renowned travel guidebook publisher, Lonely Planet. The guide is a go-to source for the best travel destinations, unique experiences and trends for the year ahead.

“This is very positive news for Jordan and something that highlights Jordan’s unique tourism experience and will certainly help attract more tourists to the country,” Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, managing director of the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB), told The Jordan Times in an interview on Tuesday.

“Such a recognition by this world-renowned travel guidebook publisher will further enhance Jordan’s ranking among travellers… the tourism sector is witnessing rising growth and such reports help support the sector,” Arabiyat said Tuesday, adding that the JTB is working on various fronts to promote tourism in various markets across the world.

“Lonely Planet has been guiding travel enthusiasts from every corner of the world for nearly 45 years. The list will showcase Jordan as a hub for adventure through the Jordan Trail, where visitors can hike, bike or visit the lowest point on Earth at the Dead Sea. Not only that, but visitors can also camp in the Wadi Rum desert and marvel at the sky’s clear stars, visit the Nabatean’s Petra, one of the seven wonders of the world or enjoy the Red Sea’s lush coral scene in Aqaba,” he said.

Commenting on the recognition, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab said for Jordan to be featured sixth on “such a prestigious, international and trusted publication is quite an achievement for the Kingdom”.

“This nomination will play a pivotal role in increasing the number of new tourists [coming] to Jordan to explore this Middle Eastern time-old destination with a modern twist and will act as a reminder to those who have already visited Jordan that a revisit to this marvelous country is due. This anticipated increase in number of tourists is in perfect harmony with the Kingdom’s plan for continued growth and development,” said the minister, according to a statement by the JTB. She added that a number of steps have been taken into consideration recently to ensure Jordan is an accessible destination, to support the continuous flow of tourists.

Tom Hall, Lonely Planet’s Editorial Director, said: “Exciting endeavours are Jordan’s specialty and the country has always offered amazing adventure, but now it is given exploration a modern twist, making it easier than ever for travelers to experience. The new Jordan Pass offers a free visa and access to the country’s main sites.“

“There is a new Bike Trail complementing the Jordan Trail — a continuous route, offering 650 kilometres of beautiful hiking through myriad landscapes and terrains — as well as desert safaris at Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, and off-road routes snaking across the desolate Badia. There’s never been a better time to visit,” Hall said in the statement obtained by The Jordan Times. 

Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world’s number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, Lonely Planet has printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers.