Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA) Offering English for Tourism Classes

May 27, 2009 - PRLog -- The Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA) has been at the forefront in conducting English for Tourism classes.  In support of JITOA’s mission to raise the standard of practice in inbound tourism and the National Tourism Strategy, JITOA, with support from the USAID/Jordan Tourism Development Project II is currently offering English for the Tourism and Hospitality Industry around Jordan.  

JITOA has conducted two English for Tourism classes from May 3 – May 13 in Amman at the Belle Vue Hotel.  These classes meet four days a week, 3 hours per class for a total of 8 classes or 24 hours of instruction over a two week period.  Each class had 15 students who were taught by native English Instructors, Mary Qartaneh and Antonia Gumina.

“JITOA recognizes the importance of developing and building the capacity of human resources in the Tourism industry and we are pleased to work with the Jordan Tourism Development Project II to launch these important courses,” remarked JITOA Chairman Ayham Fakeralden.  

JITOA worked with the Jordan Hotel Association and the Jordan Restaurant Association to identify students from their members.  More than 70 percent of the students who took the course found it excellent and beneficial to them.  Several students wrote in their evaluations that they would like to continue their study of English, as it gave them more confidence in speaking with guests.  Nader Hawawreh, who works at Le Royal Hotel, remarked, “Everything in the course was really excellent and very beneficial for me; the instructor also was very good.  I would like to thank you for this great course.”

"I am happy at the end of the first level of English express to you my gratitude and great thanks and appreciation for organizing this session and other sessions that are enhancing the skills of those working in the field of tourism," said Akram Silawi, Office Manager, Popeye's Restaurant.


As this industry is customer-oriented, one of the goals of the course is to improve effective listening and speaking skills. Throughout the course, participants practice speaking English in different situations such as: giving information on room rates, locations and facilities; making reservations; explaining bill items; addressing customer complaints; among others.  Students also are taught to write letters, faxes and emails.  

“The English for Tourism course is intended for those who work in the tourism and hospitality industry and are designed to motivate participants and help them develop the English language skills needed to function and thrive in the international tourism industry,” said Nizar Al Adarbeh, Executive Director of JITOA.  

“Strong English skills are vital to ensure that front-end service meets tourist needs and converts marketing opportunities into sales,” said Dr. Joseph Ruddy, Component Leader at the USAID/Jordan Tourism Development Project II. “Hotel and restaurant workers and tour operators need to know their products and be able to present them in fluent English. If a waiter can’t explain what is on a menu, or a concierge can’t tell guests about hotel services or a tour operator can’t talk about services available at a site, then tourists will leave disappointed and the business will have missed a sales opportunity.”



JITOA, with support from USAID/Jordan Tourism Development Project II, will continue offering the courses in the following locations this summer:

1.  Ajloun (1 class) beginning May 31 and ending on June 10, 2009
2.  Jerash (1 class) beginning May 31 and ending on June 10, 2009
3.  Salt (1 class) beginning June 14 and ending on June 24, 2009
4.  Petra (2 classes one morning and one evening) beginning on July 5 ending on July 15, 2009
5.  Wadi Rum (2 classes in the morning) beginning on July 19 ending on July 29, 2009

6.  Aqaba (2 classes in the evening) beginning on July 19 ending on July 29, 2009
7.  Amman (2 classes) beginning August 9 and ending on August 19, 2009

For more information about the classes, please contact JITOA at 553-8597.


About JITOA
JITOA is a private, voluntary business association that was started in 2003 to represent the tour operator industry.  JITOA advocates on behalf of its members for sound tourism public policy and offers education and training opportunities for members and non members. Its mission is to raise the standard of inbound tourism to Jordan.  JITOA has more than 60 members including tour operators, hotels, tour guides, and tourism education professionals.

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JITOA is a non-governmental and non for-profit association established in 2003 by a group of Inbound Tour Operators in Jordan and it mission is to raise the standards of the inbound tourism in Jordan