Aqaba, Apr. 24 (Petra)-- Dina Mahadin - The city of Aqaba breathes through two lungs: one blue, stretching deep into the clear waters of its gulf, and the other golden, beating within the vast embrace of the desert. Between the blue sea and the warm desert lies a unique environmental landscape, at the heart of which stands the Aqaba Bird Observatory, silently watching over the passage of thousands of migratory birds that have chosen this natural corridor as a stop on their long journeys between continents.

In this meeting point of sea, desert, and sky, eco-tourism takes on its deepest meaning, where nature harmonizes with human efforts to preserve it. Bird watching and exploring biodiversity become a unique educational and tourism experience, enriching visitors and reinforcing Aqaba’s status as a distinguished eco-tourism destination.

Commissioner for Tourism and Youth Affairs at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Thabet Hassan Al-Nabulsi, told Petra that the Aqaba Bird Observatory represents a pioneering model of sustainable eco-tourism in Jordan and the region. He said it plays an active role in strengthening Aqaba’s standing as a leading destination for birdwatching tourism at both regional and international levels.

Al-Nabulsi explained that ASEZA, in partnership with the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), continues to develop and promote the observatory internationally, enhancing its presence within global eco-tourism routes and making it a major attraction for birdwatchers and biodiversity enthusiasts.

He noted that these joint efforts have resulted in significant achievements, most notably the observatory’s inclusion among the world’s top 100 sustainable tourism destinations during its participation in an international tourism exhibition in Berlin, Germany.

It also ranked second globally as a sustainable green destination in the environment and climate category, reflecting Aqaba’s commitment to promoting sustainability in the tourism sector.

Al-Nabulsi added that the observatory’s success story also contributed to Aqaba receiving the Green Destinations certification in 2023, highlighting the city’s commitment to responsible and environmentally friendly tourism practices.

Regarding ongoing development efforts, he said cooperation with the observatory’s management has focused on improving visitor experience and enhancing the site’s tourism value. Around 40 informational and directional signs are being installed across carefully selected locations within the observatory, allowing visitors to access clear and comprehensive information about birds and the natural environment without the need for a guide.

He added that tourism marketing is receiving special attention, with the observatory being promoted as a specialized eco-tourism product at international conferences and exhibitions related to birdwatching tourism. Cooperation with the Jordan Tourism Board in participating in specialized global exhibitions has helped open communication channels with international tourism offices focused on this niche sector.

Al-Nabulsi also highlighted efforts to prepare and print a dedicated guide to the birds of Jordan and Aqaba, along with producing specialized promotional materials to showcase the region’s biodiversity and strengthen the observatory’s position on the global eco-tourism map.

He said work is also underway to organize tourism and environmental events inside the observatory to stimulate tourism activity and connect the site with global environmental occasions, including World Migratory Bird Day, celebrated in the second week of October, as well as hosting familiarization trips for international birdwatchers and specialized tourism agencies.

ASEZA views eco-tourism as one of the key drivers of sustainable growth in Aqaba and seeks to expand it by leveraging the city’s unique natural assets, Al-Nabulsi said, noting that birdwatching tourism is among the fastest-growing forms of eco-tourism worldwide. This makes the Aqaba Bird Observatory a promising platform for strengthening Jordan’s presence on the international eco-tourism map in the coming years.

For his part, Director of the Aqaba Bird Observatory and Climate Change Specialist at the RSCN, Firas Al-Rahahleh, told Petra that the observatory adds significant value to Jordan’s eco-tourism sector, supported by the Kingdom’s unique geographic location on the world’s second most important migratory bird route, through which millions of birds pass annually.

He explained that the observatory serves as a major resting station for these birds during their long migration journeys, allowing them to restore energy and continue their natural route, while offering visitors a rare opportunity to witness this exceptional natural phenomenon.

Al-Rahahleh said this strategic location has made the Aqaba Bird Observatory a prominent destination for birdwatching tourists from inside and outside the Kingdom, noting that around 265 species of migratory and resident birds have been recorded in the area. Visitors can observe nearly 70 different species during a single visit lasting only a few hours during peak migration seasons, reflecting rich biodiversity that places the observatory among the region’s top specialized birdwatching sites.

He added that joint efforts led by the RSCN, in cooperation with ASEZA, Aqaba Development Corporation, Aqaba Water Company, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), have helped strengthen the habitats used by birds within the observatory through pioneering nature-based solutions.

He noted that the Aqaba Bird Observatory is one of the leading examples of adapting to water scarcity challenges and climate change impacts in Jordan by maintaining the sustainability of artificial wetlands and using them to support eco-tourism.

Al-Rahahleh stressed that the observatory’s management remains committed to developing eco-tourism, particularly birdwatching tourism in Aqaba and across Jordan, in line with the Economic Modernization Vision and ASEZA’s strategy, while reinforcing Aqaba and Jordan’s status as a distinguished regional and global destination for eco-tourism.

//Petra// MF

24/04/2026 17:52:13