Aqaba, Feb 15 (Petra) - The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), in cooperation with the Aqaba Chamber of Commerce, launched an initiative to encourage domestic tourism and stimulate trade by covering transportation costs for citizens (round trip) from Karak Governorate and the Southern Jordan Valley to the city of Aqaba for one-day shopping trips.

ASEZA Commissioner for Tourism and Youth Affairs Thabet Alnabulsi said the Board of Commissioners approved support for the initiative and decided to expand its geographic scope to include new governorates in the Kingdom under the campaign "Ruohuha Betrod Al Ruoh." Alnabulsi affirmed that the decision comes as part of strengthening the participatory approach with the Chamber of Commerce to stimulate the local economy, build partnerships with private sector institutions, and launch initiatives supporting domestic tourism and various sectors. He said this would positively reflect on commercial and service sectors, support economic activities, and increase turnout to the city, especially during tourist seasons.

For his part, initiative coordinator and Aqaba Chamber of Commerce board member Salameh Al-Maaytah said the initiative aims to expand the targeted areas and attract citizens from cities and villages to shop in Aqaba by providing dozens of free buses to transport them from their places of residence to the coastal city and facilitate access to its markets and shopping centers.

Al-Maaytah explained that the campaign will include a comprehensive promotional plan, including advertising on participating transport vehicles and across the city of Aqaba, as well as in Karak Governorate and the Southern Jordan Valley, ensuring that the message reaches the widest segment of citizens and achieves the desired economic and tourism impact.

//Petra// AF