In this episode of "Going Places," I'm thrilled to have Janine Jervis as our guest. Janine, who serves as the North American Communications Director for Visit Jordan, brings her extensive experience in the travel and tourism industry, spanning an impressive 17 years. In our conversation, we explore the transformative power of travel, emphasizing the importance of firsthand experiences in challenging stereotypes and broadening one's perspective.  Janine shares her initial perceptions of Jordan, highlighting the warmth and hospitality of its people and the authentic connections she's forged with individuals from diverse backgrounds. We also discuss the ongoing tragedy in Gaza and its impact on Jordan's mood and tourism industry. Join us for a captivating conversation that underscores the profound value of travel in fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. Our theme music this season, Abbad El Shams, is provided by Rawan Roshni, a Palestinian/Balkan singer based in Jordan. What you’ll learn in this episode:Janine’s extensive experience in the travel and tourism industryThe transformative power of travel in challenging stereotypes and broadening perspectivesJanine's initial perceptions of Jordan and the warmth and hospitality of its peopleThe ongoing tragedy in Gaza and its impact on Jordan's mood and tourism industryThe role of tourism in supporting local communities and economiesThe inspiring women who are making a positive impact in Jordan and the regionThe warmth and hospitality of Bedouin communities in Wadi RumEncouraging people to approach travel with an open mind Get more information at: Learn more about our show at goingplacesmedia.com. Join our Going Places newsletter to get updates on new episodes and Yulia's travel storytelling work. Subscribe at goingplacesmedia.com! For more BTS of this podcast follow @goingplacesmedia on Instagram and check out our videos on YouTube! Please head over to Apple Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE to the show. If you enjoy this conversation, please share it with others on social and don’t forget to tag us @goingplacesmedia! And show us some love, if you have a minute, by rating Going Places or leaving us a review wherever you listen. You’ll be helping us to bend the arc of algorithms towards our community — thank you! Going Places with Yulia Denisyuk is a show that sparks a better understanding of people and places near and far by fostering a space for real conversations to occur. Each week, we sit down with travelers, journalists, creators, and people living and working in destinations around the world. Hosted by Yulia Denisyuk, an award-winning travel journalist, photographer, and writer who's worked with National Geographic, The New York Times, BBC Travel, and more.  Learn more about our show at goingplacesmedia.com. Mentioned in this episode: Visit Jordan This episode and the rest of this season are brought to you by Visit Jordan. Jordan is a beautiful country in the Middle East that has something for everyone: in a relatively small area, it packs diverse landscapes like the Mediterranean forests of Ajloun, deep