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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Tourism and Antiquities Minister, Nayef Al Fayez, said the focus in promoting tourism should be placed on the qualities in the southern city of Aqaba to attract visitors from across the world that would help to promote local economic development.

The minister, who patronized the first Jordan Dive Show at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, stressed the importance of developing the sport of diving in Aqaba as "another attracting factor" in Jordan's southern port city.

The Aqaba Diving Association (ADA), supported by The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), organized the first Jordan Dive Show to promote Jordanian diving centers and enhance Aqaba's economy.

Diving is one industry that plays an important role in generating local economic growth, according to a USAID Local Enterprise Support project (LENS) analysis, which showed that every JD spent on diving activities generates JD27 for the local economy.

Also, annual diving revenues generate 1,000 jobs in Aqaba, and that the bigger it grows, the more jobs it will generate.

More than 20 dive centers based in Aqaba are participating in the three-day fair, showcasing their services and scuba courses.

The minister noted that advancing the diving sport in Aqaba would paly an important role in promoting local economic development and turn the city into a destination attracting dividing enthusiasts both locally and internationally.

Director of the Economic Development and Energy Office at USAID-Jordan, Russ Bauer, said the aims to support Jordan's diving sector through the ADA and increase its constant and sustainable sources of income.

Bauer predicted that the would attract a larger number of local tourists, which would raise tourism revenue in Aqaba in general, as well as hundreds of local businesses, such as hotels, shops and restaurants.