Jordan 's Queen Rania is spearheading a push to encourage more people to travel to the Middle Eastern kingdom despite terrorist threats or political turmoil in neighbouring countries . Speaking exclusively to MailOnline Travel , she said she is surprised that more Britons do n't visit Jordan and assurred holidaymakers that it is safe and filled with unique experiences . 'Britons prefer an unconventional experience and we have so much to offer , ' she said . Scroll down for video . Queen Rania , pictured , says tourists to Jordan should expect a 'warm ' reception from locals . Her comments came during a tourism event in Amman in which the 44-year-old royal also said the country was stuck 'between a rock and a hard place ' - a reference to the conflicts that have blighted the Middle East since 2011 . Despite Jordan 's 'bad neighbours ' , she continued , Britons and others should consider the country 'safe ' to visit . Since the murder of pilot Muath al-Kasasbi , 26 , at the hands of ISIS in February , tourism to the country has plummeted by 17.8 per cent - continuing a trend that begun two years ago . Tourism to Jordan has plummeted by 17.8 per cent - continuing a trend that begun two years ago . Just a five-hour flight from the UK , Jordan is around 15 degrees warmer and abundant with fascinating history and culture . The striking reds and soft undulations of the desert , the implausibly beautiful valley of Wadi Rum rum , cut into the sandstone and granite and the bouyant Dead sea waters should be enough to stir your wanderlust . In the Unesco World Heritage Site of Petra , famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system visit the treasury and the ancient Nabatean aqueducts . Or explore the Greco-Roman city of Jerash , taking in the monuments including the Temple of Artemis and Temple of Zeus . Climb the 800 steps of the Ad-Deir Monastery or go camel trekking through the desert at sunrise . As a result , the country is desperately trying to drum up interest abroad , with tourism chiefs pointing the continued calm in capital Amman and in major tourist sites such as Petra . However , Jordan has borders with both Iraq and Syria , and is part of the coalition currently conducting air strikes targeting the terrorists of ISIS . Nevertheless , according to Queen Rania , the country is totally safe to visit and was at pains to point out that visitors should expect a 'warm ' reception from locals . The country is desperately trying to drum up interest abroad , with tourism chiefs pointing the calm in Amman . Tourism is worth an estimated £2m a year to the Jordanian economy and is one of its biggest employers . 'Here in Jordan , we see tourists as more than visitors - we see them as our guests , ' she added . 'People will invite you to share a cup of tea or a meal . You will always get a warm welcome . ' The royal also spoke of the country 's history , which includes more than 500,000 sites of archaeological interest , among them 12 crusader-built desert castles and the mighty Petra , and of its striking Dead Sea coastline . Tourism is worth an estimated £2million a year to the Jordanian economy and is one of its biggest employers .
Syria 's Queen Rania spoke exclusively to MailOnline Travel in Amman . Tourism worth around £2m a year and is one of its biggest employers . For the last two years tourism to Syria has plummeted by 17.8 % . Country borders Iraq and Jordan and is conducting air strikes on ISIS .