Aqaba, Aug. 16 (Petra) — Aqaba is gaining momentum as a preferred
pre-season training base for Jordan’s professional football clubs,
with a growing number of teams choosing the Red Sea city for
preparation camps that are also creating additional demand across its
tourism and hospitality sectors.

Al-Faisaly and Al-Wehdat have recently completed training camps in
Aqaba, while Al-Baqa’a and Al-Salt are preparing to hold their camps
in the city ahead of the new football season, highlighting Aqaba’s
expanding presence on Jordan’s sports tourism map.

The city offers a combination of natural-grass football pitches,
sports facilities, hotels and tourism infrastructure, alongside
beaches and open spaces that can be used for fitness and conditioning
programs. The mix gives coaching teams greater flexibility in
implementing technical and physical preparation plans.

The growing camp business also carries an economic dimension.
Visiting teams generate demand for hotel rooms, transportation,
restaurants, recreational facilities and supporting services,
providing additional activity for tourism and commercial businesses
during their stays.

The presence of major clubs also creates opportunities for supporters
in Aqaba to attend training sessions and interact with players,
adding a community and fan-engagement element to the camps.

Mansour Kabariti, Public Relations Director at Ayla Oasis Development
Company, said the arrival of professional clubs reflects Aqaba’s
ability to provide an integrated environment for training, physical
preparation and tourism.

Hosting teams creates value across hotels, transportation,
restaurants, tourism activities and other supporting services, he
said, while strengthening Aqaba’s profile as a destination capable of
attracting sports camps and events throughout the year.

Kabariti said Ayla has incorporated sports into its wider tourism
offering by developing facilities designed to accommodate athletes,
teams and tournaments.

Its infrastructure includes a championship golf course and facilities
for football, tennis, padel and basketball, in addition to water
sports and running and cycling routes, providing teams with multiple
options for training, recovery and conditioning.

The broader objective, he said, is to integrate sports and tourism so
that visiting teams can experience Aqaba beyond their training
grounds, helping encourage repeat visits and attract additional
clubs.

Al-Salt Club President Khaled Arabiyat said the team will travel to
Aqaba in the coming days for a training camp as part of its
preparations for the new season.

He said the availability and variety of pitches, suitable playing
surfaces and supporting infrastructure were among the main factors
behind the club’s decision.

Aqaba also provides the accommodation and services required by
players and coaching staff, allowing teams to concentrate on their
preparation programs and maximize the benefits of their camps,
Arabiyat said.

He added that the increasing number of clubs choosing the city
demonstrates its potential as a sports tourism hub, with further
development of sports infrastructure expected to strengthen Aqaba’s
ability to attract more teams in future seasons.

//Petra// RZ