Ayla Raises the Environmental “Blue Flag” for the Fifth Consecutive Year

Under the patronage of Dr. Nidal Al Majali, Commissioner for Tourism & Environment at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority and with the presence of the national committee, the Environmental “Blue Flag” was raised in 3 locations within Ayla.

The environmental “Blue Flag” was raised at B12 Beach Club, La Plage Beach at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and the Ayla Marina following tours carried out by a national committee that recognized Ayla’s eligibility to obtain the International Certificate (Blue Flag) and its compliance with international environmental standards.

Obtaining and renewing environmental certificates for the fifth consecutive year, despite the circumstances in the tourism sector and the various sectors associated with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, confirms Ayla’s efforts and commitment to the environmental and public health and safety measures as an example to follow in providing a sustainable tourism product that adheres to: environmental education and information, environmental management, water quality and public safety and service requirements.

Ayla’s Managing Director, Eng. Sahl Dudin expressed his happiness with this achievement, which confirms Ayla’s commitment to implementing all criteria of the program because of its belief in the importance of obtaining this environmental mark, a commitment to sustainability and preserving natural resources while maintaining the health and safety of visitors and the information it provides them and the local community.  

The Blue Flag program is one of the environmental educational programs of the Foundation for Environmental Education, represented in Jordan by the Royal Marine Conservation Society for the Protection of Marine Environment. It grants beaches and participating boat parks this certificate to achieve high standards in the four categories of: water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and safety.

Eng. Dudin stressed that since its establishment, Ayla has sought to be one of the best tourist sites, committed to the sustainability of natural resources and in application of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as the protection of diverse environmental ecosystems. Thus, Ayla is one of the first regional projects of the multi-purpose walled tourist community categories that raise the Blue Flag at a number of their facilities.

The Royal Marine Conservation Society of Jordan is the national operator of the Blue Flag Program, working alongside the National Committee, which includes the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (Directorate of Environment, Directorate of Tourism and Ibn Hayyan Laboratories), Health Directorate, Aqaba Tourism Directorate, Aqaba Development Company and the Royal Navy.

Eng. Mohammad Salem Al-Tawaha, Acting Executive Director of The Royal Marine Conservation Society praised Ayla’s commitment to environmental standards and its keenness to adhere and disseminate them to their employees and visitors, especially since the beach Blue Flag is one of the oldest environmental certificates in the world. Al-Tawaha indicated that raising the Blue Flag in three locations in Ayla will contribute to promoting Jordan as a tourist destination that prioritizes the achievement of the sustainable development concept, preserves sources of biodiversity, and reduces the consequences of climate change.