(ANSA) - Aqaba, September 27 - Over 300 participants from
the local community, the media and the public and private
sectors took part in a two-day workshop tourism workshop,
'Opportunities and Challenges', held this week in the Jordanian
city of Aqaba, Chief Commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic
Zone Authority (ASEZA) Kamel Mahadin said on Friday.
The workshop, launched on Tuesday in the Red Sea port city
under the patronage of ASEZA represented by Dr.
Mahadin, and in the presence of USAID Mission Director to Jordan Beth Paige, was supported by USAID's Aqaba Community and Economic Development (ACED II) Program, in cooperation with the Aqaba Hotels Association. The workshop was just one part of a larger USAID initiative to promote tourism in the Aqaba region, which in turn creates jobs for Jordanians and improves the local economy. Mahadin stressed the importance of the tourism sector in Jordan as one of the major income-generating activities in Aqaba, and called for cooperation between related parties to provide unique tourist services to visitors. He urged the private sector in Aqaba to participate fully in putting a tourism-promotion strategy in action and highlighted the significant role of the local community in advancing the tourism sector. "We are not discouraged by the political situation in the region.
On the contrary we are more and more keen on transforming Aqaba into a world-class business hub and leisure destination," Mahadin emphasized. "Aqaba is a success story and we look forward to the Jordanian media to play even a bigger role, not only in promoting Aqaba, but also in insuring that all stakeholders are heard," he said. Mahadin also discussed the soon-to-be-relaunched Aqaba radio station, stressing the fact that it will be the city's voice to the world and sent greetings to the organizers who were originally behind the launch of Jordan's multi-lingual radio station back in the 60s. "We are filled with gratitude and inspiration for the great men and women whose voices reached the world with words of love for Jordan and to all that is authentic and precious about our wonderful country," Mahadin said.
Matthew Lovick, the ACED program chief, highlighted the importance of tourism to the Jordanian economy and USAID's focus on this sector. The project focuses on supporting initiatives that are mutually beneficial to the public and private sectors to help develop the tourism industry and overcome industry challenges. The goal of the workshop was to present a road map to ensure a high level of coordination between all partners, and prepare plans that include activities and events that will help boost tourism in Aqaba.
Mahadin, and in the presence of USAID Mission Director to Jordan Beth Paige, was supported by USAID's Aqaba Community and Economic Development (ACED II) Program, in cooperation with the Aqaba Hotels Association. The workshop was just one part of a larger USAID initiative to promote tourism in the Aqaba region, which in turn creates jobs for Jordanians and improves the local economy. Mahadin stressed the importance of the tourism sector in Jordan as one of the major income-generating activities in Aqaba, and called for cooperation between related parties to provide unique tourist services to visitors. He urged the private sector in Aqaba to participate fully in putting a tourism-promotion strategy in action and highlighted the significant role of the local community in advancing the tourism sector. "We are not discouraged by the political situation in the region.
On the contrary we are more and more keen on transforming Aqaba into a world-class business hub and leisure destination," Mahadin emphasized. "Aqaba is a success story and we look forward to the Jordanian media to play even a bigger role, not only in promoting Aqaba, but also in insuring that all stakeholders are heard," he said. Mahadin also discussed the soon-to-be-relaunched Aqaba radio station, stressing the fact that it will be the city's voice to the world and sent greetings to the organizers who were originally behind the launch of Jordan's multi-lingual radio station back in the 60s. "We are filled with gratitude and inspiration for the great men and women whose voices reached the world with words of love for Jordan and to all that is authentic and precious about our wonderful country," Mahadin said.
Matthew Lovick, the ACED program chief, highlighted the importance of tourism to the Jordanian economy and USAID's focus on this sector. The project focuses on supporting initiatives that are mutually beneficial to the public and private sectors to help develop the tourism industry and overcome industry challenges. The goal of the workshop was to present a road map to ensure a high level of coordination between all partners, and prepare plans that include activities and events that will help boost tourism in Aqaba.
