ITB Berlin: Creating a Sustainable Dive & Cultural Itinerary in Aqaba
17th March 2025
At ITB Berlin 2025, Alison Burgh, Director of Acorn Tourism, moderated a panel discussion on Aqaba’s approach to sustainable tourism. The session, Diver by Day, Bedouin by Night: Aqaba Bridging Adventure and Tradition, took place on the Lighthouse Stage in the sustainability area, bringing together industry experts to discuss how Aqaba is developing a sustainable dive sector while incorporating its cultural heritage.
Building a Sustainable Dive Destination
With only 27km of coastline, Aqaba has established itself as a leading dive destination, offering vibrant coral reefs, a unique underwater military museum, and a growing commitment to marine conservation. The panel explored how the dive centres, tour operators, regional destination managers, the National Tourist Board and certification organisations are working together to create a sustainable tourism model that balances environmental protection with economic benefits for local communities.
Key topics included the adoption of Green Fins certification for dive operators, the Green Destinations Good Travel Scan, and the broader push to achieve UNESCO World Heritage status for the Aqaba Marine Reserve. A major highlight of the discussion was the launch of the ‘Diver by Day, Bedouin by Night’ itinerary, which merges diving experiences with authentic Bedouin cultural encounters, allowing visitors to explore both Aqaba’s marine and desert heritage in a responsible and immersive way.
The panel featured key industry experts, including Thelma Radwan from ASEZA, Dom Wyszogrodzki from Green Fins and CBI, Hakim Tamimi from the Jordan Tourism Board, and Ahmed Qurini from Jordan Geography, the first Travelife-certified tour operator in Jordan. Each speaker shared insights on the steps taken to make Aqaba’s dive sector more sustainable, the challenges they have faced, and the importance of aligning sustainability efforts with international market demand.
Connecting Marine Conservation with Local Culture
The discussion also highlighted how cultural heritage can complement marine tourism, offering visitors a more meaningful and well-rounded experience. The new itinerary aims to connect visitors not just with Aqaba’s marine ecosystems but also with local Bedouin traditions, cuisine, and storytelling, ensuring that tourism supports both conservation and community livelihoods.
Alison Burgh closed the session by leading a discussion on the future of Jordan’s sustainable tourism, with panellists agreeing that collaboration across the private and public sectors is key to ensuring that dive tourism not only protects the environment but also delivers long-term benefits to local communities.
Acorn Tourism was pleased to contribute to this important conversation and support the development of responsible tourism initiatives in Aqaba. To learn more about our work in Jordan click here (link to all Jordan projects)
