Israel and Jordan Tourism Ministers Pledge Intesified Promotion and Cooperation

Katsav Pledges "We Have no Other Way Than That of Peace"

During his first visit to Israel since his appointment as Jordan's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Akel Biltaji recently met in Israel's Red Sea resort of Eilat with Moshe Katsav, Israel's Deputy Prime Minister and minister of Tourism. During their teams' working sessions, Israeli and Jordanian tourism experts agreed on widened cooperation in joint tourism promotion overseas, as well as in joint development of the two countries' tourism infrastructure. High on the list of priorities is the continuing development of an immense joint venture at the Dead Sea (shared by Israel and Jordan), described as "The Lowest Park on Earth."

Early in September, Biltaji and Katsav will undertake joint appearances at the American Society of Travel Agents' (ASTA) World Travel Congress in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as the World Travel Mart (WTM) in November in London. "We have no other way than that of peace," said Katsav during Biltaji's visit, stressing that "the main obstacles are already behind us."

Some 2.5 million tourists visit annually. Since Israel's peace treaty with Jordan was signed in 1994, a significant number of Israel-bound travelers also visit Jordan. A substantial tourism increase is expected in 1998, when Israel is to celebrate its 50th Anniversary.

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