In an ongoing commitment to invigorate both domestic and international tourism, the Aqaba Special Economic Authority is curating an array of activities and ventures focusing on Aqaba and the iconic Golden Triangle, comprising Aqaba, Petra, and Wadi Rum. These efforts underscore the region's rich potential as a vibrant travel hub.
Recent statistics from the authority suggest an optimistic uptick in the current tourist season.
There's a noticeable surge in hotel occupancies across the spectrum and a discernible influx of tourists entering Aqaba from international locales as well as from the kingdom's own diverse governorates.
In a conversation with the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Mr. Nayef Hamidi Fayez, the Head of the Aqaba Special Region Authority, articulated Aqaba's growing prominence in the regional tourism landscape.
"The city's maritime infrastructure and the synergistic collaboration between the public and private sectors have elevated Aqaba's tourism stature," he noted.
Fayez emphasized that Aqaba's strategic positioning, coupled with its diverse tourism offerings, has bolstered its appeal to a wide range of global travelers.
Over recent months, the city has seen a flourish of artistic, entertainment, and family-friendly festivals, further amplifying its allure.
Underlining the authority's proactive role, Fayez mentioned various initiatives undertaken in tandem with tourism sector partners. These include the promotion of tourist attractions within the city and hosting numerous family events across Aqaba, all freely accessible to the public.
Highlighting Aqaba's dedication to pristine coastal experiences, a monumental seabed cleanup drive was recently launched at Aqaba's central beach. This initiative, which saw the involvement of 120 divers, manifests the city's commitment to sustainable tourism.
In a testament to Aqaba's thriving tourism ecosystem, the past quarter welcomed about 100,000 tourists through its diverse entry points, including border crossings like Al-Yatm, Wadi Araba, Al-Durra, the King Hussein International Airport, and the passenger terminal port.
This period also saw the entry of approximately 23,000 passenger vehicles and 2,400 buses, all gravitating towards Aqaba's coastal allure.
A standout figure from the authority's data reveals an impressive turnout at the Aqaba Cruise Ship Terminal. Over 71,000 visitors disembarked from 58 ships, a number that considerably surpassed the anticipated 25,000 tourists from 10 ships.
Source: Jordan News Agency