Aqaba, Aug 13 (Petra) – Tourism and Antiquities Minister Imad Hijazin on Wednesday met with 313 tourism stakeholders in Aqaba alongside Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Chief Commissioner Shadi Ramzi Al-Majali, Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) Chief Commissioner Fares Breizat, and ASEZA Commissioner for Tourism and Youth Thabet Hassan Al-Nabulsi to discuss boosting tourism connectivity in the “Golden Triangle” of Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Petra.
Hijazin said the ministry is working to position the Golden Triangle as a world-class destination with a distinctive brand, stressing the importance of investing in local tourism products to enhance competitiveness. He revealed plans to amend the agreement between the ministry and ASEZA to grant the authority full powers to oversee tourism facilities outside the special zone, as well as to place Wadi Rum under ASEZA’s administrative and regulatory remit to develop it in line with its global standing.
He outlined the operations of the newly established Tourism Sector Development Fund, plans to review the “Our Jordan is Paradise” domestic tourism program, external marketing strategies by the Jordan Tourism Board, and a focus on religious tourism. He also stressed the need to collect data on damage suffered by the sector.
Majali said ASEZA is working in partnership with all tourism sectors in coordination with the ministry and the tourism board, aiming to leverage joint marketing of the Golden Triangle to revitalize tourism across all categories. He noted Aqaba’s progress in infrastructure, including airports, ports, hotels, resorts and restaurants, making it a major destination for domestic and international visitors.
He expressed hope to intensify efforts to showcase Aqaba as a city with a complete range of tourism components, including Islamic and Christian heritage that make it attractive for religious tourism, alongside marine tourism, water sports, adventure tourism and aerial sports.
On air connectivity, Majali said the issue will be discussed with stakeholders, noting that Royal Jordanian currently operates 17 weekly flights between Aqaba and Amman, with plans to raise the number to 21. He added that ride-hailing apps for taxis will be piloted for five months starting at the end of this month, and a feasibility study is under way with the electricity company to establish solar farms to help tourism investors cut power costs.
Breizat described the Golden Triangle as one of the world’s most important tourism destinations, with cultural tourism especially in Petra forming a significant part of its appeal. He said fluctuating visitor numbers mean alternative attractions must be developed to draw culturally inclined tourists from around the globe.
Jordan, he noted, has about 52 key Islamic religious tourism sites and 90 Christian ones, including Christian pilgrimage locations. These include the Byzantine church in Aqaba and 10 ancient churches in Petra. He added that the Golden Triangle also has important Islamic sites such as Mount Al-Tahkeem, Al-Humayma and Al-Abbasiya, which should be developed to complement cultural tourism and linked with similar sites nationwide. He also emphasized adventure tourism, connecting tourist trails, developing Jordan’s medical tourism, and improving all forms of tourist transport.
Tourism sector representatives in Aqaba presented their main challenges and proposals for boosting tourism in all its forms, enhancing marketing, attracting visitors through hobby-based tourism, linking the Golden Triangle via transport networks, establishing solar power stations, and promoting local tourism products, Aqaba’s heritage, diving, and smart applications that serve both tourists and residents.
//Petra// AF
13/08/2025 20:53:28
