The Jordan Tourism Board hosted Christian Orthodox Religious leaders from Russia and Ukraine to promote Christian pilgrimage to Jordan. The group celebrated Bethany Day (the day when Jesus was baptized) which is the most important event of the Orthodox Church, at the Baptism site on the 19th of January, 2007.

After the celebration the religious delegation visited all religious Christian sites in Jordan in addition to Petra and Jerash. Russian and Ukrainian press and television stations covered the pilgrimage extensively and aired it in their countries.

Representing His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin Mohammad, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Baptism Site, H.E. the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Mr. Osama Dabbas and the Managing Director of the JTB Mr. Mazen Homoud met with the delegation to welcome them to Jordan. Mr. Dabbas briefed the representatives of churches, newspapers and television stations on future infrastructure projects planned for the Baptism Site. During the meeting, the minister also briefed the guests on several holy sites in the Kingdom, and its strategy to activate religious tourism. Referring to Petra’s bid to become one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Dabbas encouraged the delegation to write about the ancient city. Talks between the delegation and members of the Jordan Tourism Board also focused on the importance of pilgrimages and covered the health tourism sector in Jordan.