The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently supported the Aqaba Diving Association in organizing the first Jordan Dive Show. The event, held from April 7-9, 2016 in Amman, seeks to promote local diving companies to the Jordanian market for the purpose of growing the industry and boosting its contribution to local economic development in Aqaba.
Scuba diving can play an important role in boosting local economic growth in Jordan. Based on an industry sizing analysis done by the USAID Local Enterprise Support project (LENS), for every JD spent on scuba diving activities, 27 JD is generated for other businesses in the local economy. Induced revenues currently generated by the diving industry indirectly account for the employment of up to 1,000 people a year in Aqaba, and the larger the industry grows, the more potential it has to create additional jobs for Jordanians.
Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism, the Jordan Dive Show features over 20 dive centers located in Aqaba, showcasing their services and variety of scuba courses for beginners and advanced divers alike. The event will serve as a launch pad for greater national and international recognition of Aqaba as a premium diving destination.
“Not only is Aqaba considered among the best scuba diving destinations in the world, it has extraordinary potential to contribute to Aqaba’s economic development as a major local and international tourist attraction,” H.E. Nayef al Fayez, Minister of Tourism said in his opening remarks at the event.
“USAID LENS is supporting Jordanian businesses in the diving industry through the Aqaba Diving Association to earn more stable and sustainable sources of revenue by attracting more local customers. This will increase tourism revenues for Aqaba as a whole as hundreds of local businesses such as hotels, shops and restaurants will also benefit,” said Russ Bauer, Director of the Economic Development and Energy Office at USAID/Jordan.
The Jordan Dive Show is the second ever dive show held in the entire Middle East after Dubai.
The United States government, through USAID, has provided foreign assistance from the American people to Jordan for more than 60 years.