Silica- Ayla First Restaurant in the Middle East to Receive Green Key Certification

Silica restaurant at Ayla’s Golf Club has earned the Green Key ecolabel for its commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable tourism today, Tuesday 21st February 2023, with the presence of Dr. Nidal Al Majali, the Commissioner of Tourism and Environment at Aqaba Special Economic Zone. Silica will be Jordan’s and the Middle East’s first restaurant to receive this award.

The Royal Marine Conservation Society of Jordan, Jordan’s national green key player, assessed for the Green Key label. The national committee for the program includes Aqaba Special Economic Zone authority which is represented by the tourism commission and Ibn Hayan Laboratories; the Ministry of Tourism, represented by the Aqaba Tourism Directorate, the Ministry of Education represented by the Education, Directorate for the Aqaba Governorate, the Jordan Hotel Association, the Royal Scientific Society, Aqaba Water Company, along with the approval of the certification by the Royal Marine Conservation Society.

Executive Director of The Royal Marine Conservation Society , Mohammed Salem Al-Tawaha stated that this award for Silica, one of the top restaurants in Ayla Oasis, is a major achievement towards achieving sustainable tourism requirements and sustainable development through encouraging projects and initiatives related to reducing climate change. The Jordanian government prioritizes this field and integrates all sectors to actively contribute and act upon this issue -nationally and globally.

Tawaha added that Ayla’s interest in keeping up and achieving environmentally friendly standards for its facilities ensures that it obtains the most prominent global certifications, including the Green Key and Blue Flag Programs. These programs are recognized by both the World Tourism Organization and the United Nations Environment Program and are applied to thousands of establishments and sites worldwide. Ayla has achieved three Blue Flags and three Green Keys in various multi-purpose service facilities, making it one of the first regional projects to achieve this number in the multi-purpose tourism complexes category.

Ayla’s Managing Director, Sahl Dudin, emphasized the significance of this certification, which is an international recognition of Ayla’s achievement in preserving the environment and adhering to global environmental standards. This certification – is important  in preserving natural resources, limiting their depletion, providing alternative energy sources, and reducing pollution.

Dudin referred to numerous projects and initiatives that Ayla launched or participated in to support the sustainability system and promote the transformation process towards a green economy in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone by preserving the environment and natural resources and protecting biodiversity habitats.

As one of the leading regional projects in sustainable development, this achievement adds to Ayla’s string of successes.., the most notable was the raising of the environmental Blue Flag in several of Ayla’s facilities, including the B12 Beach Club, La Plage Beach Club at Hyatt Regency Hotel, and Ayla Marina, to preserve natural resources and maintain a pollution-free environment.

The Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla hotel has previously succeeded in obtaining the global Green Key status under the hotel category, recognizing their efforts and commitment to public health and sustainable tourism environmental standards.

The international Green Key standards include mandatory or advisory criteria that are fundamental to all participating countries and have national operators. Localizing standards to adapt to national legislation, infrastructure, climate, and culture is possible. The standards emphasize environmental management with technical requirements, as well as visitors, employees, suppliers, and community participation. The international standards cover environmental management, water, waste, energy, visitor and employee engagement and education, food and beverage management, surroundings, and other criteria .

Located in Ayla Golf Club, Silica restaurant boasts a 500 square meter area and overlooking green fairways  and the eco-friendly golf course designed by the legendary Greg Norman. It is an ideal spot for a coffee break after a round of golf or have a family breakfast or lunch on weekends. The restaurant serves a delicious array of food and  beverages and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.