With Cox & Kings passenger numbers up 36% overall year-on-year, Jordan is one of 2005�s hottest destinations, according to the Middle East specialist. Its 7-night escorted group tour Splendours of Jordan has been running for 10 years and is now one of its top three best selling tours, with passenger numbers travelling in 2005 up 54% compared to 2004.

Splendours of Jordan visits the spectacular rose-red city of Petra, as well as the well-preserved Greco-Roman city of Jerash and the beautiful desert scenery of Wadi Rum before finishing with 2 nights relaxing by the Dead Sea. Prices for the rest of 2005 start from �985 per person, including Royal Jordanian flights, 5-star accommodation with breakfast and some meals, guided sightseeing and transfers.

According to Cox & Kings the current popularity of Jordan is the result of a steady increase in confidence amongst holidaymakers about travelling to the Middle East. �This year our Middle East programme has surpassed pre-2001 levels for the first time since September 11,� said Samantha Morgan, Cox & Kings� Middle East Product Manager. �Two of the three most popular tours from across our whole range in 2005 are from the Middle East programme, in Jordan and Libya. There is clearly a strong appetite in the UK for the kind of spectacular ancient sites that these countries have to offer and barring political upheaval the signs are that these destinations will continue to grow in popularity over the coming years.�

Cox & Kings� 7-night Leptis Magna & Roman Libya tour visits the capital Tripoli, the Roman city of Sabratha, the oasis town of Ghadames on the edge of the Sahara and the spectacular ruins of Leptis Magna, once the Roman Empire�s second city. Cox & Kings reports booking numbers to Libya up by 113% in 2005. Prices start from �995 per person, including British Airways flights, accommodation with breakfast, 3 lunches and 4 dinners, guided sightseeing and transfers.

-ends-

For further information, please contact Michael Pullman on 020 7873 5006, or at michael.pullman@coxandkings.co.uk