Royal Jordanian and the Private Hospitals Association (PHA) have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at supporting and promoting medical tourism to the kingdom and strengthening Jordan's position as a destination for treatment and hospitalisation.

RJ president/CEO Stefan Pichler and PHA chairman Dr Fawzi Al-Hammouri signed the agreement, in the presence of officials from both organisations.

Under the deal, RJ will provide discounted tickets on business and economy classes to Arab and international patients, and their companions, who come to Jordan to receive medical treatment at distinguished medical centres and hospitals that are members in the association.

The agreement, which is valid for individuals from destinations on RJ’s route network, also offers the PHA staff discounted tickets from/to Amman. Such discounts are granted on selling fares through RJ’s global sales offices and travel agents who are accredited by PHA or by the member hospitals.

Pichler stressed RJ's keenness to support all efforts of national public and private organisations that aim at increasing the influx of tourists. "PHA is one such organisation; it comprises various specialised hospitals that offer advanced medical care to Jordanian and foreign patients," he said.

He also highlighted the high esteem in which Jordan is held internationally and regionally because of its outstanding medical services, which is a reason medical tourism is encouraged and should become one of the important feeders of incoming tourism.

Dr Hammouri said that PHA will cooperate with RJ toward bringing a greater number of incoming patients from abroad to be treated in Jordan and expressed appreciation for RJ's commitment to the initiative. - TradeArabia News Service