In its capacity as a guest of honor, a Jordanian delegation has participated in the annual meetings of the Christian pilgrimage directors in Lourdes, southern France, which is the home of one of the most important Christian pilgrimage grottos, namely Our Lady of Lourdes. In attendance were more than 850 pilgrimage directors from France and several other countries.

At the opening session, a film was screened on religious tourism in Jordan, while Jordan was welcomed as the guest country for this year. Representing the Jordan Tourism Board, Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media (CCSM) in Jordan Fr. Dr. Rif'at Bader said, "I have come from the Holy Land of Jordan where Lord Jesus Christ was baptized in its waters, namely at the River Jordan (the Baptism Site) by John the Baptist." He talked about the most prominent religious touristic sites, and stressed that the “pilgrims” who come to Jordan do not only visit ancient stones but rather meet with Jordanians, as well as get apprised about the spiritual experience in addition to the experience of stability and peace in Jordan which qualifies this country to welcome pilgrims and provide all logistic and pastoral assistance. He also praised the prevailing cooperation between religious tourism associations in our country, namely the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Jordan Tourism Board, the management of the Baptism Site Commission, Churches, and media which jointly form a promotional and marketing unit for Holy Jordan.

Fr. Bader thanked the administration of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto for the eight-day visit by its delegation to Jordan that took place last month and was led by Rector of Our Lady of Lourdes Sanctuary Fr. Michel Daubanes. Discussions also focused on the general assembly that has been held by French Directors of Christian Pilgrimage Institution and was led by Bishop Jean-Marie le Vert in November 2023, which included 140 directors of the pilgrimage department in most diocese of France.

Answering a question about the impact of the situation in Palestine and the Gaza Strip on tourism in Jordan, the CCSM director said that Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, is leading a high-profile diplomatic campaign that demands an immediate ceasefire, and calls for refraining from expanding the sphere of war. He added that Jordan has incessantly been dispatching daily aid to our brethren and there is daily and popular solidarity with what is happening in Gaza, noting that Christmas celebrations were confined to religious rites. Fr. Bader added, “Yet we believe that tourism to Jordan, which has been affected and has receded relatively compared to previous years, can continue its progression because the Holy Land of Jordan is safe while its political and social stability qualifies it to receive pilgrims and guarantee their safety at these difficult times in Palestine.” Amid the applause of the participants, he said, “Do not be afraid. You will have a wonderful experience in Jordan, which will be enriched spiritually, socially, and culturally. You will also gain weight with delicious Jordanian food."

Tourism official at Jordan's embassy in Paris Ms. Samia Nustas, participated in the conference and posted brochures, pictures, and information about religious tourism on the sidelines of the conference. She also took part in praying the Holy Rosary and said a prayer in Arabic at the Holy Mass during a candlelit tour marking the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes--celebrated by new French Cardinal Mgr. François Bustillo, bishop of Ajaccio and archbishop of Lourdes Jean-Marc Mica, who visited Jordan last year with the rector of the Grotto of Lourdes--with the participation of 15,000 believers who came from various dioceses of France, and from several countries, especially from Italy.

Following the conclusion of the conference, Fr. Bader met with Jordanian Ambassador to Paris Lina Al-Hadid--in the presence of Ms. Anastas--who lauded the prominent Jordanian participation this year in the annual Christian Pilgrimage Conference in the city of Lourdes. She said that the General Conference and General Assembly of French Pilgrimage meeting held in Jordan late last year will bear fruit by doubling the number of French pilgrims coming to visit Jordan this year and in the coming years.