|
King Hussein International Airport plan to boost country's tourism [Jordan Times, Amman]
(Jordan Times, The Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jun. 11--AMMAN -- The number of flights at the King Hussein International Airport (KHIA) in Aqaba will be increased soon under an agreement signed on Wednesday to help support the emerging Red Sea tourist destination.
Under an agreement signed by the USAID/Jordan Tourism Development Project (JTDP) and the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), an air services marketing plan and framework will be crafted for the KHIA to encourage the growth of its air services network and develop Jordan's so-called "Golden Tourism Triangle" -- Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum.
Under the KHIA marketing plan, which will be developed by the USAID/JTDP with support from ADC, the airport's value as a competitive transportation hub will also be highlighted, according to a statement released yesterday by USAID/JTDP.
The initiative will also identify target markets and charter carriers, as well as ensure technical knowledge transfer at the local level, the statement added.
In addition, the JTDP is to develop a framework for setting up and running a marketing function at the airport to ensure effective implementation of the plan to effectively enhance the development of its international route network serving Aqaba, according to the statement.
Also under the agreement, the ADC will provide information on current and potential tourism and business development projects in and around Aqaba, as well as facilitate links to handling agents, catering companies, fuel suppliers and the Civil Aviation Authority to support KHIA's value, according to the statement.
"This memorandurn of understanding falls within the scope of ADC's efforts to execute a comprehensive plan for the Aqaba Special Economic Zone to develop and promote the King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, and affirm its place on the regional map as one of the significant logistical facilities in ASEZ, and also as part of the multimodal, high- quality transportation system which provides excellent services for Aqaba visitors," ADC CEO Imad Fakhoury said at a signing ceremony yesterday, attended by Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Chief Hosni Abu Gheida and USAID Jordan Mission Director Jay Knott.
"We will continue our efforts to develop Aqaba as a tourism and investment hub, and as a point of entry to achieve all aims and future plans for transforming Aqaba into a leading centre for business and a Red Sea tourist attraction," he added.
"Aqaba is positioning itself as a tourism gateway for Jordan," Knott said yesterday, noting that 6,000 new hotel rooms will be built in the port city over the next five years.
"USAID's assistance to restructure the services and better market the King Hussein International Airport will ensure that Aqaba's major tourism attractions will be utilised by facilitating the increase of visitor numbers to meet supply," Knott said.
According to tourism officials, an increase in visitors would not only serve to meet the supply in accommodation and tourism services in Aqaba, but also at surrounding tourism attractions in the southern region, such as Petra and Wadi Rum.
According to the ASEZA tourism directorate, a total of 443,000 tourists visited the port city last year, including 194,000 foreigners.
[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
|
TMCnet LOGIN
Webinars
