Aqaba, Aug. 16 (Petra) -- Aqaba is gaining momentum as a preferred pre-season training base for Jordan’s professional football clubs, with a growing number of teams choosing the Red Sea city for preparation camps that are also creating additional demand across its tourism and hospitality sectors.
Al-Faisaly and Al-Wehdat have recently completed training camps in Aqaba, while Al-Baqa’a and Al-Salt are preparing to hold their camps in the city ahead of the new football season, highlighting Aqaba’s expanding presence on Jordan’s sports tourism map.
The city offers a combination of natural-grass football pitches, sports facilities, hotels and tourism infrastructure, alongside beaches and open spaces that can be used for fitness and conditioning programs. The mix gives coaching teams greater flexibility in implementing technical and physical preparation plans.
The growing camp business also carries an economic dimension. Visiting teams generate demand for hotel rooms, transportation, restaurants, recreational facilities and supporting services, providing additional activity for tourism and commercial businesses during their stays.
The presence of major clubs also creates opportunities for supporters in Aqaba to attend training sessions and interact with players, adding a community and fan-engagement element to the camps.
Mansour Kabariti, Public Relations Director at Ayla Oasis Development Company, said the arrival of professional clubs reflects Aqaba’s ability to provide an integrated environment for training, physical preparation and tourism.
Hosting teams creates value across hotels, transportation, restaurants, tourism activities and other supporting services, he said, while strengthening Aqaba’s profile as a destination capable of attracting sports camps and events throughout the year.
Kabariti said Ayla has incorporated sports into its wider tourism offering by developing facilities designed to accommodate athletes, teams and tournaments.
Its infrastructure includes a championship golf course and facilities for football, tennis, padel and basketball, in addition to water sports and running and cycling routes, providing teams with multiple options for training, recovery and conditioning.
The broader objective, he said, is to integrate sports and tourism so that visiting teams can experience Aqaba beyond their training grounds, helping encourage repeat visits and attract additional clubs.
Al-Salt Club President Khaled Arabiyat said the team will travel to Aqaba in the coming days for a training camp as part of its preparations for the new season.
He said the availability and variety of pitches, suitable playing surfaces and supporting infrastructure were among the main factors behind the club’s decision.
Aqaba also provides the accommodation and services required by players and coaching staff, allowing teams to concentrate on their preparation programs and maximize the benefits of their camps, Arabiyat said.
He added that the increasing number of clubs choosing the city demonstrates its potential as a sports tourism hub, with further development of sports infrastructure expected to strengthen Aqaba’s ability to attract more teams in future seasons.
//Petra// RZ
