Opportunities and Challenges in Tourism workshop in Aqaba

The Tourism Workshop “Opportunities and Challenges” was launched Tuesday in Aqaba under the patronage of Dr. Kamel Mahadien, the Chief Commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), and in the presence of USAID Mission Director Beth Paige. The workshop was supported by USAID’s Aqaba Community and Economic Development (ACED II) Program, in cooperation with the Aqaba Hotels Association. Approximately 120 participants from the private and public sectors partook in the two-day workshop.

The workshop is 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.

In his speech, Dr. Kamel Mahadien 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.

Mr. Matthew Lovick, the ACED Program Chief of Party, 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.