His Majesty King Abdullah is briefed Saturday by Director General of the
Social Security Corporation Khalid Wazani on the model of the Aqaba
Intercontinental Resort (Photo by Yousef Allan)

King inspects Aqaba projects

By Khalid Dalal


AQABA — His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday inspected the construction work on the JD40 million Aqaba Intercontinental Resort, one of the largest tourism projects in the country.
King Abdullah said such projects will help create more job opportunities and boost the tourism industry in the Kingdom.

Khalid Wazani, director general of the Social Security Corporation (SSC), which owns the resort, explained that the project, scheduled to be completed by the beginning of next year, is expected to create around 400 jobs.

Wazani said the 41,000 square-metre resort consists of 20 suites and around 300 rooms.

“It will help Aqaba, the Kingdom's sole sea outlet, to cope with the increasing demand on hotel services there,” he said.

The five-star resort will also include a conference hall that can take up to 1,000 persons, a 2,200-square-metre swimming pool as well as five restaurants.

Also yesterday, the King, inaugurated and toured the Aqaba Gateway, of which the SSC owns 55 per cent, while a group of local banks and companies own the remaining 45 per cent.

“The JD6-million project was designed in a way to reflect both the modern architectural nature of Aqaba and the history of the country,” Aqaba Gateway Director General Shabeeb Ammari said.

The project includes 33 stores, six restaurants and many recreational facilities.

Now employing around 160 citizens, the Aqaba Gateway is expected to “create another 30 jobs soon.”

Concluding his Aqaba visit, King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed forces, attended a flag hoisting ceremony held at the Great Arab Revolt Square, at which the historical residence of Al Sharif Hussein Ben Ali, the leader of the Great Arab Revolt, is located. Senior Royal Court and government officials accompanied the King during his visit to Aqaba.

Sunday, October 3, 2004