Doudin: Aqaba Steadily Moves Towards a More Prosperous and Integrated Tourism Future
Amman5 min read
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As the world celebrates World Tourism Day on September 27th every year, Aqaba stands out on the regional and international tourism map, not just as a traditional sea city, but as an integrated tourist destination that, despite the surrounding circumstances and challenges, has managed to maintain its presence and expand its options between beach tourism, leisure, adventure, sports, and heritage, up to conference and event tourism, establishing itself as the 'Pearl of the Red Sea'.
Thanks to the Hashemite vision and continuous royal attention, the city is steadily moving towards enhancing its tourism and economic status, supported by qualitative projects and investments that contribute to developing its tourism infrastructure and expanding options for visitors and investors, while Ayla Oasis stands out as one of the most prominent investment and tourism projects that have contributed to diversifying the tourism product in Aqaba, through an integrated system of residential, hotel, recreational, sports, and commercial facilities.
The CEO of Ayla Oasis Company, Engineer Sahl Doudin, said in an exclusive statement to 'Al-Rai' that there is optimism about Aqaba's tourism future, affirming that the city is moving according to a clear and steady path towards further development and prosperity, in light of the diversity in the tourism product and the continuation of investment projects.
He pointed out that Ayla Oasis, whose investment experience in Aqaba spans about 20 years, is no longer limited to traditional commercial and tourist activity, but has become part of an integrated system that includes sports, community, and tourism events, in addition to hosting major events, enhancing Aqaba's status as a city capable of attracting multiple types of tourism.
He explained that Ayla includes a diverse system of residential apartments, golf courses, swimming pools, hotel facilities, commercial markets, restaurants, and tourist facilities, which has made life there extended throughout the day, providing a tourism model that combines accommodation, entertainment, sports, and services in one destination.
Doudin pointed out that hosting sports championships, races, marathons, and various events contributes to activating sports tourism, and their effects are not limited to foreign visitors, but also include diplomats and visitors from different regions, in addition to their impact on the commercial and service movement in the city, enhancing Aqaba's image as a safe, stable destination capable of hosting major events.
He emphasized the importance of integration between various Aqaba institutions, particularly the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority and the Aqaba Development Company, in the success of tourism and investment events and projects, explaining that continuous coordination, flexibility, transparency, and facilitating procedures are essential factors for presenting events in a manner befitting Aqaba.
He pointed out that Ayla has been keen over the past years to support the local community and various initiatives and events, and has maintained the continuous operation of its facilities and activities during the Corona pandemic, which has contributed to preserving job opportunities and economic movement, affirming that the relationship between tourism projects and the local community goes beyond investment to achieve a broader economic and social impact.
He added that visitors to events do not limit their spending to the event site, as their movement extends to markets, restaurants, services, and various facilities in Aqaba, making events a source of economic movement in the city and enhancing the importance of developing this type of tourism.
Doudin pointed out that Aqaba is witnessing the continuation of the implementation and attraction of major projects, including Saraya Aqaba, Marsa Zayed, and other projects, in addition to the efforts of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority and the Aqaba Development Company in driving investment, as well as the exhibition grounds that attract international exhibitions and events, opening a wider field for business and conference tourism.
He also highlighted the importance of the educational medical university project, as an investment project that contributes to raising the level of services and diversifying sectors in Aqaba, affirming that the city's tourism development is inseparable from the development of its economic, service, educational, and medical systems.
He stressed that Ayla has a long-term strategic plan extending over 30 years, which is periodically updated and reviewed, and includes a clear roadmap for future facilities and projects, in line with the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein, to make Aqaba a distinctive tourism destination at the regional level.
Doudin emphasized that Aqaba, despite its achievements, still needs more tourism and hotel projects and expanding the capacity of the sector, while continuing to develop tourism products and attract new events and markets.
Doudin pointed out the importance of having an integrated 'national events calendar', not limited to Aqaba city, but including various governorates and tourist sites in the Kingdom, allowing the organization of events throughout the year, distributing tourist movement between destinations, introducing visitors to the Jordanian tourism product with its various components, and enhancing coordination between organizing bodies and concerned sectors.
He said that Aqaba's tourism future is based on the integration of projects, investments, events, and partnerships between various sectors, affirming that the city is moving towards establishing a diverse tourism model that does not rely solely on the sea, but combines tourism, leisure, sports, adventure, heritage, conferences, and events, enhancing its status as an integrated tourism city on the Red Sea.
