Smiles greeted us all over the place. Tea appeared earlier than we even requested. “Welcome to Jordan” wasn’t only a greeting — it set the tone for the real heat that adopted us all over the place as quickly as we stepped off the aircraft. Jordan is a rustic that surprises you in the perfect methods: protected, deeply hospitable, and overflowing with tales ready to be shared. Over just some days, our workforce felt its magic via floating within the Lifeless Sea, exploring the hidden paths of Petra, and gazing on the stars in Wadi Rum.
We requested just a few of our G workforce members to share what makes GX Jordan so nice and why they nonetheless can’t cease speaking about it.
What’s GX Jordan?
Every year, G Adventures brings collectively employees and neighborhood companions from all over the world for GX — the G Adventures Expertise — a celebration of connection, tradition, and purpose-driven journey with talks from our founder Bruce Poon-Tip and others peppered all through.
In 2025, GX landed in Jordan, a vacation spot that completely displays all the pieces we stand for: security, hospitality, and journey that offers again. From the bustling markets of Amman to the silence of Wadi Rum, GX Jordan wasn’t only a gathering — it was a possibility to expertise firsthand the impression of neighborhood tourism in one of the vital inspiring and scenic nations on Earth.
First impressions of Jordan
Earlier than arriving, just a few of us weren’t positive what to anticipate. Jordan sits in a area usually misunderstood and near battle — however the second we touched down, that notion flipped.
“I heard it again and again earlier than the journey: ‘Is Jordan protected?’” says Leah Whitfield, G Adventures’ International Communications Lead. “From the second we landed, we felt nothing however heat. Individuals smiled, waved, and stated, ‘Welcome to Jordan!’ all over the place we went.”
“The upbeat, constructive, and open-minded perspective of each Jordanian we met actually stood out,” provides Sarah Doherty, Supervisor of Tradition & Engagement. “They’ve confronted instability, but their optimism and generosity had been contagious.”
That generosity got here via in highly effective methods. When the workforce’s bus broke down, a café proprietor handed over his automotive keys so they may get gasoline — no questions, no fee, simply kindness.
“I additionally skilled one thing deeply private,” says Erwin Sasmito, Supervisor of Studying Techniques & Expertise. “A café proprietor I visited usually took care of me and, once I left for Toronto, gave me an enormous hug. It was a small however unforgettable gesture.” Moments like that captured why we journey — to see the great that connects us all.
Desmond Yu, International Operations Help Coordinator, was additionally struck by how Jordan defied expectations. “I used to be shocked by the vegetation,” he says. “I might decide jasmine, pacay pods, and basil alongside the streets — not what I imagined a desert to be.”
He additionally observed the deep belief amongst locals. “Individuals depart their telephones and wallets on tables with out fear. Regardless of excessive unemployment, there aren’t any unhoused people — households care for one another, and everybody has a house.”
Expertise Jordan for your self on: Highlights of Jordan
Freedom, discovery, and the thrill of Jordan
Jordan’s magic isn’t simply in its landmarks — it’s within the sense of freedom it offers you.
“I by no means as soon as felt unsafe in any respect,” says Leah Shelley, our VP of Individuals & Group Operations. “At Petra, we might discover the positioning freely — no blocked paths, no rush. It felt like being trusted with historical past itself.”
For Sarah Mainprize, our VP of International Advertising & E-Commerce, it was the stillness of the desert that made an impression. “Standing on the high of Petra watching the sunshine shift throughout the stone felt nearly non secular. I anticipated to be impressed, and as a substitute, I used to be deeply moved. Jordan slows you down in all the appropriate methods.”
There have been the laughs, too, in fact, like when Leah S. tried to sink beneath the floor of the Lifeless Sea. “You simply can’t do it! I used to be laughing so arduous I had tears in my eyes. It’s such a bizarre, fantastic sensation.”
“And the surprises didn’t cease there,” laughs Sarah M. “The bagpipes! Who knew Jordan had bagpipes? There’s pleasure and satisfaction in each custom you uncover.”
Expertise Jordan for your self on: Egypt & Jordan Journey
The folks behind the magic
Probably the most particular elements of GX Jordan was assembly the individuals who make accountable journey potential.
“At Beit Al Ward, one in every of our neighborhood tourism companions, the ladies welcomed us like household,” says Sarah D. “They informed us the tales behind each handmade piece of their store after which served us a home-cooked meal I’m nonetheless dreaming about. That connection — that’s what journey is all about.”
“There was a second in Wadi Rum throughout a barbecue the place everybody — our hosts, our workforce, the Bedouin dancers — had been simply smiling and sharing pleasure,” remembers Sarah M. “It was pure connection. You possibly can really feel the satisfaction and happiness radiating from everybody there.”
Moments like these are what make G Adventures’ neighborhood tourism mannequin so highly effective. Once we go to locations like Beit Al Ward or spend time with Bedouin hosts in locations like Wadi Rum, we’re not simply seeing a vacation spot — we’re serving to maintain it.
Expertise Jordan for your self on: Final Lively Jordan
Meals, flavour, and an entire lot of hummus
Ask anybody from GX Jordan, they usually’ll inform you that the meals was subsequent degree.
“Each meal was contemporary, vibrant, and filled with veggies,” says Leah S. “I by no means needed to fear about meals security or water — simply scrumptious dishes and countless plates of hummus.”
“That hummus!” provides Sarah D. with amusing. “I have to discover ways to make it at house.”
“My solely problem?” says Leah S. “Staying hydrated! The desert warmth isn’t any joke — preserve that water bottle crammed!”
From mezze spreads to completely grilled meats, each meal was an invite to decelerate, share tales, and join, the entire goal of GX.
Expertise Jordan for your self on: Journeys: Discover Jordan
Jordan’s soul: grounded and beneficiant
When requested to explain Jordan in a single phrase, our workforce had loads: grounded, heat, misunderstood, hospitable. However each response pointed to the identical reality: Jordan has a manner of staying with you.
“The phrase for me is grounded,” says Leah S. “In Wadi Rum, watching the solar rise over the desert, I felt this deep peace and connection. It’s a spot that humbles you in the absolute best manner.”
“For me, it’s hospitality,” says Sarah M. “From the airport to each tea break, you are feeling the care and satisfaction in each interplay. Jordan’s magnificence isn’t simply in its sights. It’s in its folks. I anticipated to be impressed, however as a substitute I used to be moved. I assumed I’d see lovely websites; as a substitute, I discovered a rustic that invitations you to decelerate, pay attention, and be modified by its rhythm.”
“The primary phrase that involves thoughts while you consider Jordan is yalla (let’s go),” says Erwin. “As a customer, Jordan pulled me to many fascinating facets of its historical past, tradition, meals, and other people. That’s how I felt all through my complete time there.”
Expertise Jordan for your self on: Solo-ish Jordan
Why you must go to Jordan
Jordan is a rustic that surprises you with its openness, strikes you with its landscapes, and welcomes you with its coronary heart. It’s additionally one of many most secure and most steady nations within the Center East and an important vacation spot for anybody who loves historical past, neighborhood, and connection.
Once you journey to Jordan with G Adventures, you’re not simply visiting Petra or Wadi Rum. You’re supporting the individuals who name these locations house, from Bedouin guides to native artisans and women-led cooperatives.
“Jordan radiates a deep, real heat that’s arduous to place into phrases,” says Sarah D. “It’s satisfaction, custom, and humanity all wrapped into one.”
Will Matthews, VP of International Gross sales, agrees. “This was really my second journey to Jordan, so no surprises for me — I already knew how welcoming the individuals are and what an amazing vacation spot it’s. And it was value visiting Petra once more!”
“From the second I used to be picked up by our pleasant switch driver, I felt welcomed and protected,” he provides. “However what actually stood out was seeing greater than 600 brokers, travellers, and suppliers cheering for Jordan throughout the WCTS day. With all the pieces taking place within the area, the truth that everybody confirmed up — that sense of neighborhood was so highly effective.”
And when requested for his one-word abstract? “Fattoush,” he laughs. “I had it with nearly each meal — and I’m nonetheless craving extra! Oh, and Jordanian wine deserves some love too — there are some actual unsung heroes there.”
“Journey isn’t about escape,” says Sarah M. “It’s about return. You permit Jordan with one thing you didn’t know you had been lacking: a way of belonging.”
Expertise Jordan for your self on: Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Lifetime of the Bedouin
Prepared to go to Jordan?
If GX Jordan taught us something, it’s that this nation has a uncommon sort of magic, one which welcomes you in, fills you up, and sends you house modified.
