Aqaba, Oct. 5 (Petra) – The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) won the Bronze Award from the Green Destinations Organization, making Aqaba the first Arab city to receive this international recognition in green tourism.

The award was presented during the International Green Destinations Conference, held in Montpellier, France, from September 28 to 30, and highlights the ASEZA’s efforts in implementing a green growth strategy in the tourism sector, enhancing Aqaba’s global tourism profile while promoting sustainable development.

The ASEZA Commissioner for Tourism and Youth Affairs, Thabet Nabulsi, said the accolade reflects an integrated strategic vision based on seven priorities, including protection of marine and terrestrial environments, investment in eco-friendly infrastructure, and promotion of sustainable tourism that balances economic growth with conservation.

He noted Aqaba’s history of achievements in this field, citing the Aqaba Bird Observatory’s second-place award at the 2023 Berlin Travel and Tourism Exhibition and its consecutive second-place finish in the 2024 Best 100 Stories competition for "Strategic Planning for Wreck Disposal in the Gulf of Aqaba." Jordanian participation at the conference included Thelma Radwan, head of the ASEZA’s Tourism Product Development Department, who was selected as a keynote speaker in a session titled "Sustainable Diving in Aqaba." Radwan highlighted Aqaba’s potential as a leading ecotourism and responsible diving destination.

She added that the award demonstrates international recognition of Aqaba’s practical initiatives to become a model for green tourism, leveraging its strategic Red Sea location and natural assets to advance the regional blue economy.

//Petra// AJ