Jordan Advances Sustainable Marine Tourism Through Green Fins National Workshop in Aqaba

National workshop highlights measurable progress in protecting coral reefs and outlines a five-year roadmap to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Green Fins Jordan.

Aqaba, Jordan – 28 October 2026 – The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Jordan, through the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR)-funded Gulf of Aqaba Resilient Reefs Programme, and The Reef-World Foundation, organized a national workshop titled “Sustaining Green Fins Jordan: Protecting the Gulf of Aqaba’s Underwater Heritage.”

The workshop brought together 18 representatives from government institutions, regulatory authorities, marine research organizations, regional stakeholders, and local diving operators to review the achievements of Green Fins Jordan and discuss its long-term sustainability.

The event marked an important milestone in strengthening environmentally responsible marine tourism in Aqaba, while reinforcing national efforts to protect the Gulf of Aqaba’s unique coral reef ecosystems and support the development of a sustainable blue economy.

Since its launch in Jordan in 2023, Green Fins has worked with local diving operators to promote environmentally responsible diving and snorkeling practices, reduce direct pressures on coral reefs, and strengthen environmental awareness across the marine tourism sector.

The initiative has demonstrated measurable environmental improvements. Assessment findings presented during the workshop highlighted a 58% reduction in negative environmental impact scores among renewing Green Fins members, alongside a 50% reduction in physical contact with coral reefs. Furthermore, 80% of assessed dive centres fully implemented no-touch policies within one year of membership, while the sale and display of marine life souvenirs, including shells and corals, declined from 60% of participating dive shops to zero by the second year.

These achievements demonstrate the important role of the private sector, particularly local diving operators, in reducing environmental threats and supporting the long-term conservation of Aqaba’s marine biodiversity.

A central focus of the workshop was the presentation and discussion of the proposed Green Fins Jordan Five-Year Roadmap (2027–2031), which outlines a gradual transition towards stronger national ownership, institutional capacity, and financial sustainability.

The roadmap prioritizes strengthening the national assessment team, expanding participation among diving operators, improving the benefits of Green Fins membership, and establishing a sustainable operational and financing model under ASEZA’s leadership.

Participants also reviewed proposed financing mechanisms designed to support the continued implementation of Green Fins in Jordan. These included exploring partnerships with hotels and tourism operators, strengthening the promotion of environmentally responsible dive centres, and considering financial support mechanisms that could help operators invest in reef-friendly equipment, waste management systems, and improved environmental practices.

The discussions emphasized the importance of ensuring that participation in Green Fins provides tangible benefits to diving operators, while maintaining the environmental standards and independent assessment processes that underpin the initiative.

The workshop also highlighted opportunities to integrate Green Fins environmental performance data into national biodiversity reporting, sustainable tourism planning, and reef-positive investment opportunities, in alignment with Jordan’s National Blue Economy Strategy and broader environmental priorities.

Through the GFCR Gulf of Aqaba Resilient Reefs Programme, UNDP Jordan continues to support ASEZA and its partners in strengthening coral reef protection, advancing sustainable marine tourism, and developing innovative financing approaches that contribute to both environmental conservation and local economic opportunities.

Looking ahead, the proposed roadmap provides a framework for transitioning Green Fins Jordan towards a nationally led, financially sustainable model, while creating opportunities to share Jordan’s experience and lessons learned with other countries across the Red Sea region.

The workshop reaffirmed the shared commitment of ASEZA, UNDP Jordan, The Reef-World Foundation, and local diving operators to protecting the Gulf of Aqaba’s underwater heritage while building a more sustainable and resilient marine tourism sector.