[Religious Tourism in Jordan]

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Acknowledgement

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Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the research1

Pilgrimages and tourism2

The state of tourism to the Holy land & Jordan:3

Aim of the study:6

The research area7

The Research Problem8

The Research Objectives9

Hypotheses:9

The Importance of the Research10

Structure of the research10

Chapter one:11

Chapter two:11

Chapter three:12

Chapter four:12

Chapter five:13

REFERENCES14

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the research 

The state of Jordan mediates the two wings of the Arab nation in Asia and Africa, characterized by the warm reception of guests coming from various parts of the Arab world to enjoy the nature scenery, extraordinary climate condition, relatively safe free of the plague of insecurity (Hajjar2006).It provides a safe haven for visitors from across the globe, satiating their taste for a state standing at the threshold of modernity while clinging securely to the golden memories of its historic past. Visitors inhale the scenic beauty and treat themselves to the green plains and desert gold, the high mountains, and beautiful beaches (Raj Morpeth 2007).

Tourism is one of the most growing industries worldwide. It is the most important sectors of the international trade. It plays a vital role in the national gross product and in the improvement of payment balance for governments (Tomasi2002). It is a major source for hard currency, provides work opportunities and is one of the major objectives for economic development programs.

Tourism based on religious and pilgrimage is of great significance in Jordan and Palestine due to the presence of Islamic Holy places of the three monotheistic religions (Vukonic1996). The Holy land is the part of great Syria extending from south of today's Syria and ending at the mouth of the straight of Aqaba on the red sea and from the borders of today's Iraq to the shores of the Mediterranean.

Pilgrimages and tourism

Pilgrimages are usually viewed from a religious or saintly perception. There are relations between tourism and religion, and the question that arises is: what is the connection between pilgrimages and tourism? Pilgrimages viewed as the ancient forerunners of present tourism in view of the fact that pilgrimages have been seen within a religious context, and are frequently discussed in the literature in terms of religious tourism (Tomasi2002). A pilgrimage is an event related to all religions. It was an element of ancient religions and was intensely embedded in small tribal communities and linked to the worship of holy places and antecedent sect. Occasionally the growth of pilgrimage was also associated to trade routes, such as the Silk Route in the Far East or the Incense Road in Arabia. The majority travelers in early times were pilgrims who gathered ...