Latest news with #HamzaHajHassan
Jordan Times
25-02-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Aqaba receives 86,000 tourists in January
Aqaba receives 86,000 foreign and local tourists in January, marking an increase of 103 per cent at a two-night stay rate (JT file) AMMAN — The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) on Tuesday announced that the gulf city received a "record" 86,000 local and foreign tourists during January. ASEZA Deputy Chairman and Commissioner for Economic Development and Tourism Hamza Haj Hassan on Tuesday said that this number reflects ASEZA's "strategic" plan in the tourism sector, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. He said that the number of tourists in January marked an increase of nearly 103 per cent at a two-night stay rate, where the number of Jordanians reached 48,000 visitors, accounting for 55 per cent, and 38,000 foreign tourists. The percentage of hotel reservations during the same month was nearly 50 per cent, recording an increase of 84 per cent, and the highest percentage was for 4-star hotels. He added that the tourist port of Aqaba received two tourist ships carrying 3,000 tourists, while Wadi Rum received 12,000 tourists during January, stressing that the authority seeks to increase these numbers through tourism plans and programmes. Hajj Hassan pointed out that these figures came as a result of the programmes and activities implemented by ASEZA within its strategic plan, the most important of which is the launch of the Aqaba Carnival for Tourism and Shopping and the Aqaba Waves Festival. He added that such activities contributed to activating local and foreign tourism movement despite the difficult regional conditions. In light of halting 23 charter routes to Aqaba, the ASEZA seeks to find new tourist markets, mainly Saudi Arabia, whose tourists to Aqaba increased by 55 per cent in January, he added.
Jordan Times
05-02-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Aqaba Container Terminal joins global maritime service network Gemini Cooperation
Aqaba Container Terminal launches its new maritime service within the global Gemini Cooperation (Photo courtesy of Aqaba Container Terminal) AMMAN — Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) on Wednesday officially launched its new maritime service within the global Gemini Cooperation, enhancing Jordan's strategic position on the global maritime trade map. The Gemini Cooperation, formed by shipping giants Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, represents a major advancement in global maritime transport, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The Gemini Cooperation offers a "robust" shipping network that covers seven key trade routes and operates 57 specialised maritime services. The launch event was held under the patronage of Deputy Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority Hamza Haj Hassan, on behalf of the chairman. CEO of Aqaba Container Terminal Harold Nijhoff emphasised that joining the Gemini Cooperation is a "major milestone" in the port's development. He highlighted that the move will significantly boost the port's operational capacity and open new opportunities for Jordanian trade, aligning with the vision to position Aqaba Container Port as a leading regional logistics hub. The new service offers high reliability, with sailing schedules exceeding 90 per cent punctuality, supported by a modern fleet of 340 vessels with a total capacity of 3.7 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The development will enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce transport costs for Jordanian exporters and importers, improve the competitiveness of Jordanian products in international markets, streamline import and export operations and attract foreign direct investment to Jordan's logistics sector. The Gemini Cooperation is also committed to sustainability, with a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than a third by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2045. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to upgrade the Kingdom's maritime transport infrastructure and solidify Aqaba Container Port's role as a vital trade gateway for the region.
