logo
Ayla Marina earns 5 Gold Anchor accreditation

Ayla Marina earns 5 Gold Anchor accreditation

Jordan Times04-02-2025
Ayla Marina receives the 5 Gold Anchor accreditation, a globally recognised distinction for its commitment to environmental sustainability and visitor experiences (JT file)
AMMAN — Ayla Marina on Tuesday was awarded the 5 Gold Anchor accreditation, a globally recognised distinction for its commitment to environmental sustainability and visitor experiences.
The award underscores Ayla Marina's excellence in service, safety and operational standards, further solidifying its position as a premier yachting destination.Commissioner for Environment at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Ayman Suleiman raised the award flag at Ayla Marina in celebration, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.The 5 Gold Anchor accreditation is a high ranking in the global marina industry, awarded only to marinas that meet rigorous criteria in facilities, safety measures and customer satisfaction. The recognition places Ayla Marina among the world's top-tier marinas.Marina Manager at Ayla Oasis Development Company Adel Maani said: "This accreditation places us among the world's leading marinas, reaffirming our commitment to service excellence, innovation, customer satisfaction and sustainability. It is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team."The award adds to Ayla Marina's record in sustainability and operational excellence. In 2024, the marina received the Clean Marina accreditation, a global certification for compliance with international environmental standards.In 2024, Ayla Marina received two prestigious Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards for excellence in the maritime sector: the Sustainability Award and the Most Popular Marina Award.
This follows its 2023 recognitions as the Best Marina in Environment and the Best Marina in Safety across the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey at the same awards.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Cabinet Approves Aqaba Digital Logistics Project, Economic Relief Measures, Heritage Preservation - Jordan News
Cabinet Approves Aqaba Digital Logistics Project, Economic Relief Measures, Heritage Preservation - Jordan News

Jordan News

time16-07-2025

  • Jordan News

Cabinet Approves Aqaba Digital Logistics Project, Economic Relief Measures, Heritage Preservation - Jordan News

The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, on Wednesday approved several key decisions aimed at advancing digital transformation, supporting economic activities, enhancing international cooperation, and preserving Jordan's architectural heritage. اضافة اعلان The Cabinet endorsed a decision by the Board of Commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) approving an agreement with Maqta Ayla Digital Solutions Company to manage, operate, and develop a digital truck control and monitoring system. Under the agreement, Maqta Ayla will establish a digital platform to modernize operations at Aqaba's port facilities. The system will integrate customs, port operations, shipping lines, clearance companies, and other stakeholders, enabling seamless data exchange and improving the efficiency of maritime and logistics services. These measures are expected to accelerate cargo handling and customs clearance, reduce operational costs, improve transparency, and facilitate digital tracking of logistics processes. The initiative aims to position Aqaba as a regional hub for smart and modern port services, strengthening its competitiveness under the Economic Modernization Vision. Among the planned services is a truck control project to regulate the entry and exit of vehicles into the Aqaba Special Economic Zone. The system will digitize permits, monitor truck movements, ease congestion, enhance road safety, and enable better oversight of freight operations. The Cabinet directed coordination with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship to ensure system compatibility with Jordan's digital government infrastructure. In measures to alleviate economic burdens, the Cabinet approved allowing companies benefiting from the Temporary Employment Support Program in the Digital and Entrepreneurial Sector (Hafiz) to repay debts owed for 2023 over five years in monthly installments. The government has already covered JD1.9 million in Social Security contributions under the Hafiz program, which supports the hiring of approximately 600 youth in IT roles across government service centers and private sector enterprises. The program, which subsidizes up to 50 percent of salaries for new hires, aligns with national objectives to digitize services, foster digital skills, and stimulate private sector growth. Additionally, the Cabinet approved the settlement of 696 pending tax cases between the Income and Sales Tax Department and taxpayers, as part of efforts to improve the business climate, enhance tax compliance, and facilitate legal regularization. On public administration modernization, the Cabinet endorsed the rationale for a draft Administrative Organization System for the Civil Service and Public Administration Authority for 2025, paving the way for submission to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau. The draft seeks to streamline organizational structures, reduce task duplication, enhance governance, and boost public sector efficiency in line with ongoing administrative reforms. Regarding international cooperation, the Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding on social development with Lebanon, aimed at sharing expertise in development and social welfare fields. It also approved an agreement with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China to eliminate double taxation on income and prevent tax evasion, fostering investment and trade ties. In heritage preservation, the Cabinet designated several structures in the Capital, Balqa, and Madaba governorates as heritage buildings, adding them to the Architectural and Urban Heritage Register. These include, in Amman, the House of the late King Talal, the Jordanian Art House, the Jordanian Poetry House, the Ibrahim Hashem House, the Zahid Adlbi House, the Field Marshal Habis Al-Majali House, the Mohammed Al Dabbati House, and the Salmkri Al Khas Hatogh Building. In Balqa, the listed sites include the Salt Historical Museum (Abu Jaber House) and the Aziz Jasser House, while in Madaba they include the Saraya Building, the Beiruti Building, and the Omar Shabib Al Sawalha House.

Aqaba Authority Approves Zoning Plans for Riviera Heights Project - Jordan News
Aqaba Authority Approves Zoning Plans for Riviera Heights Project - Jordan News

Jordan News

time10-07-2025

  • Jordan News

Aqaba Authority Approves Zoning Plans for Riviera Heights Project - Jordan News

The Board of Commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) has approved the zoning plans for the "Riviera Heights" project, which is part of the larger Marsa Zayed development. The approval comes with a set of regulatory conditions and requirements. اضافة اعلان This decision aligns with the Authority's vision to facilitate and encourage investment in the Aqaba region. The large-scale project is expected to create job opportunities for Jordanians, stimulate economic growth, attract investment, and advance sustainable development in the region. It is also anticipated to boost various sectors in Aqaba, thereby strengthening its position as a regional and international hub for tourism and investment.

106,000 Visitors Flock to Aqaba During Eid Al-Adha Holiday - Jordan News
106,000 Visitors Flock to Aqaba During Eid Al-Adha Holiday - Jordan News

Jordan News

time11-06-2025

  • Jordan News

106,000 Visitors Flock to Aqaba During Eid Al-Adha Holiday - Jordan News

Around 106,000 tourists and visitors spent the Eid Al-Adha holiday in the city of Aqaba, with the average hotel occupancy rate across various classifications reaching 91%. Visitors stayed for an average of two nights over the six-day holiday period. اضافة اعلان Chairman of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Shadi Ramzi Al-Majali, stated that Eid days in Aqaba passed smoothly and peacefully despite the large number of visitors, thanks to the joint Eid plan implemented by ASEZA, the Aqaba Governorate, and relevant authorities to maintain uninterrupted services for citizens and tourists. Al-Majali praised the coordinated efforts under the leadership of Aqaba Governor Khaled Al-Hajjaj, and the implementation by all stakeholders and security agencies, which played a major role in efficiently serving visitors. The security and traffic plans also helped ease movement, reduce congestion, and facilitate procedures at customs points and land, sea, and air border crossings. He noted that from the first day of the holiday until Tuesday, Aqaba welcomed about 106,000 visitors—90,000 entered via Wadi Al-Yatam and Wadi Araba customs points, and 16,000 via international land, air, and sea ports. The average hotel occupancy rate during the holiday reached 91%, with an average stay of two nights. Wadi Rum also saw significant tourism activity, receiving around 6,500 visitors, including 4,000 foreign tourists. He explained that the visitor count was tracked using a smart and precise camera system installed at Aqaba's entrances. Al-Majali highlighted the continued flow of commercial activity through the ports, facilitated by the efforts of the Jordan Customs Department, Aqaba Company for Ports Management and Operation, the Container Terminal, and various regulatory and technical agencies under ASEZA's supervision. No delays were reported in cargo handling during the holiday. He emphasized that Aqaba experienced very active tourism and commercial activity due to strategic marketing, events hosted by ASEZA and other tourism projects, and a shopping initiative by the Aqaba Chamber of Commerce. Support and incentives provided to tourism, service, hotel, and marine facilities in cooperation with the private sector also contributed to the season's success. As part of ASEZA's tourism strategy, a free program of artistic, cultural, and entertainment events was held throughout Eid at the Great Arab Revolt Plaza. These events created a joyful atmosphere for locals and visitors alike, featuring performances by Jordanian singers and traditional folk bands, spectacular drone light shows, and fireworks launched over the sea. The festivities also celebrated the King's Accession Day, Army Day, and the national football team's qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Additionally, Aqaba hosted two major concerts by artists Nassif Zeytoun and Rahma Riad as part of the 'Aqaba Waves Festival' at the South Beach open-air theater. The Environmental Commission launched the awareness campaign "Leave it Clean" at border crossings and public beaches. ASEZA distributed educational brochures and eco-friendly fabric bags to cars entering the city to discourage littering, in cooperation with the Royal Department for Environmental Protection and Orbaser, the company responsible for Aqaba's cleanliness, alongside youth committees and community initiatives. The Aqaba Marine Reserve carried out underwater cleaning campaigns and implemented a continuous monitoring and awareness program along the coastline, with teams deployed to prevent any environmental damage or pollution in heavily crowded beach areas. Al-Majali also mentioned that ASEZA's City Commission and health inspection teams ensured public slaughtering services were available at the official slaughterhouse under strict health and safety guidelines. They also worked round the clock to monitor food establishments and prevent the sale of food items outside designated areas, maintaining food safety standards. City services implemented a maintenance and response program for public facilities during the holiday, and, in coordination with Orbaser, increased cleaning staff in key locations such as slaughtering areas, city centers, and beaches. Work shifts were doubled to operate 24/7, with additional garbage compactors deployed in market and hotel zones. Al-Majali concluded by commending the seamless and cooperative work of all agencies involved, emphasizing the unified team spirit that enabled the provision of excellent services to Aqaba's visitors during Eid Al-Adha. — (Petra)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store