Aqaba promotion success interrupted by pilot tragedy — ASEZA chief

AMMAN — With the aim of promoting Aqaba as an “inexpensive” tourist destination, the Aqaba Carnival increased occupancy rates in the city’s hotels despite discouraging factors, an official said on Sunday.

Organised by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), the month-long carnival encourages locals to enjoy Aqaba’s warm weather at this time of year by offering reduced prices at three-, four- and five-star hotels, and transportation packages, as well as discounts at restaurants and shopping centres.

The carnival, which started on January 29, featuring several cultural and entertainment activities, has successfully increased hotel bookings by over 50 per cent of the total occupancy rate during its first two weeks, while bookings at this time last year were around 15 per cent, according to ASEZA Chief Commissioner Hani Mulki.

However, the progress was interrupted by the “tragic” murder of Jordanian pilot Muath Kasasbeh as well as last week’s cold front, which was expected to bring snow to most parts of the Kingdom, Mulki told The Jordan Times over phone, expecting the performance to pick up in the next two weeks.

“Performances of traditional dance groups were suspended [due to Kasasbeh’s murder], but we are willing to return these shows during Ramadan,” he said, noting that ASEZA has put two convertible shuttle buses to work and is willing to create an outdoor summer cinema.    

“We seek to enable Aqaba to compete with tourist destinations in other countries,” the official noted, adding that the carnival is part of ASEZA’s new administration’s plan to “expand the touristic product” to include further destinations and activities.

Over the past two months, the quality of products sold in the city’s markets has “improved”, Mulki said, citing a plan to attract clothing brand names and turn Aqaba into a major shopping hub for citizens and visitors.  

“ASEZA does not think about developing Aqaba only… the returns of Aqaba must benefit the entire region of Wadi Rum, Petra, Maan and Jordan Valley,” he told The Jordan Times, adding that figures of the number of tourists and visitors were still not worked out.

“In February, it is very important to prevent hotel losses and layoffs of employees due to low occupancy rates, similar to what happened in some hotels in Petra,” he said, adding that 800 new hotel rooms are expected to open over the coming two years. 

Commenting on investment opportunities in Aqaba, Mulki said the priority is for investments in logistics, transportation and tourism arenas, as the ASEZA seeks to set a level of services that other industrial and real estate investments can build on.

“We are on the right road, yet there is a lot that needs to be done,” he concluded.