Jordan seeks to woo Chinese tourists

AMMAN, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's tourism sector is planning a trip to China to woo Chinese tourists, said Jordanian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Makram Queisi on Wednesday.

At a joint press conference with Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili at the archaeological site of Amman Citadel in the country's capital, Queisi said China is one of the major and promising markets in the world, and Jordan welcomes Chinese tourists.

"Our visit will not be limited to one region in China. We will visit several provinces in China. I will also tell Chinese tourists that Jordan is safe, stable, and strong, and it welcomes them with open arms," Queisi said.

"We open our hearts and open our homes to visitors from China, and this is a message I will carry with me when I visit this friendly and important country," the minister added.

Echoing Queisi's words, Pololikashvili said China is an important partner of the UNWTO, calling on Jordan to enhance the Jordanian-Chinese partnership in the tourism field.

"China is a very active member of our organization and is the most important market worldwide. To collaborate and work to have more presence and more tourists from China, we can make it happen," he said.

As a main engine of Jordan's economy, the tourism sector contributed 15.6 percent to the country's GDP last year, according to Queisi.