Aqaba Blue Ocean: Future in Action (ABOFA) 2026 — Why Aqaba Is Becoming the Red Sea’s Blue Economy Hub

If you’ve spent time in Aqaba, you already know it’s not just “Jordan’s beach city.” Aqaba is the country’s window to the Red Sea, a place where coral reefs sit minutes away from hotels, where divers share the water with paddleboarders, and where boat trips feel like part of daily life. Now, Aqaba is preparing for something that goes beyond regular tourism season: Aqaba Blue Ocean: Future in Action (ABOFA), a new international event focused on the blue economy — the industries and livelihoods connected to the sea, when they’re managed in a way that protects marine life and supports long-term growth.

ABOFA is scheduled for September 9–12, 2026, and will take place at the Aqaba International Exhibition Centre (AIEC). It is being announced as a major regional meeting point for diving, marine technology, water sports, and coastal lifestyle industries, with organizers aiming to position it as a flagship event for the region.

For WowJordan readers, this matters for two reasons. First, it’s an event that will bring new visitors to Aqaba at the tail end of summer — a period that can be strong for local travel and also attractive for regional visitors. Second, it signals where Aqaba is headed: not only as a tourism destination, but as a place where marine business, innovation, conservation, and adventure tourism meet.

What is Aqaba Blue Ocean: Future in Action (ABOFA)?

ABOFA (Aqaba Blue Ocean: Future in Action) is an international exhibition and conference dedicated to the blue economy, announced by 1st Arabia و Fira Barcelona, in partnership with the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC). The event will be hosted in Aqaba at the Aqaba International Exhibition Centre (AIEC) from September 9 to 12, 2026.

According to the official announcements covered by Jordanian and international outlets, ABOFA will focus on several interconnected themes:

• The diving sector and dive equipment
• Ocean technology and marine sciences
• Water sports and boating lifestyle
• Diving destinations, watersports, and adventure tourism

In simple terms: it’s not only a business expo, and it’s not only for scientists. It’s designed to gather the people who shape coastal destinations — from dive operators and equipment brands to innovators, marine researchers, and tourism stakeholders.

Why Aqaba, and why now?

Aqaba is a rare case in the region: a compact coastal city with strong tourism infrastructure, direct access to coral reefs, and a strategic location that connects Jordan to the Red Sea. What’s changed in recent years is the amount of attention being placed on building a “blue economy” around Aqaba — not just to increase income, but to protect the marine environment that makes the city special in the first place.

Aqaba’s reefs are not a background detail — they are the product. Diving, snorkeling, glass-bottom boat trips, yacht experiences, and water sports all depend on healthy marine ecosystems. That’s why Jordan has been moving toward stronger marine protection frameworks and projects that link livelihoods to conservation.

One example is the محمية العقبة البحرية, described by UNDP as Jordan’s first designated marine reserve and a cornerstone for protecting biodiversity while enabling blue-economy-related livelihoods like tourism and recreation.
Another is a Global Environment Facility (GEF) project approved for Jordan focused on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and effective management of the country’s first marine reserve — a policy and planning approach that helps balance development with ecosystem health.

When you put this together, ABOFA makes sense as a next step: it brings industry and innovation into the same conversation as conservation and sustainable management.

What to expect at ABOFA 2026

Because ABOFA is positioned as a regional flagship, expect a program that blends exhibition displays with networking and knowledge sessions — especially around diving, water sports, and marine industries.

1) Diving and dive equipment

Aqaba is already one of the most recognized diving destinations in Jordan, with wreck dives, reef dives, and beginner-friendly sites that make it accessible. ABOFA’s stated emphasis on the diving sector and dive equipment suggests that international and regional brands could be present, alongside professional operators.

For visitors, this usually translates into:

• Better visibility for Aqaba’s diving scene
• Potential on-site demos and gear showcases
• Stronger industry ties between local operators and global suppliers

For local businesses in Aqaba, it’s also a chance to attract partnerships, suppliers, and new booking channels.

2) Ocean technology and marine sciences

This is one of the most important parts of the “blue economy” idea. Marine tourism is not only about “selling experiences,” it’s also about monitoring reef health, managing waste, protecting habitats, and planning coastal development responsibly.

ABOFA’s focus on ocean technology and marine sciences suggests sessions around tools and systems that support marine management — the kind of work that can directly affect long-term tourism quality.

3) Water sports, boating, and coastal lifestyle

العقبة is not a “one-activity” destination. Many visitors spend their day switching between:

• Beach time
• Jet ski / banana boat / paddleboard
• Boat trips and snorkeling
• Sunset cruises
• الغوص 

ABOFA explicitly includes water sports and boating lifestyle, which is a natural match for Aqaba’s tourism identity.

4) Adventure tourism tied to the sea

The organizers also mention diving destinations, watersports, and adventure tourism.
That matters because Aqaba’s “adventure” is not only underwater — it includes nearby desert experiences, day trips, and multi-activity itineraries that combine sea and land.

If you’re building content for WowJordan, this is where you connect ABOFA to:

• الغوص في العقبة
• Aqaba beach clubs
• الرياضات المائية في العقبة
• Yacht trips / boat charters
• “Weekend in Aqaba” itineraries

ABOFA and Aqaba’s wider blue economy push

ABOFA didn’t appear in a vacuum. Over the past period, Aqaba has seen more public discussion and institutional work around the blue economy.

A notable recent development is the launch of the Blue Economy Innovation Centre in Aqaba, inaugurated by ASEZA in partnership with UNDP و ال Global Fund for Coral Reefs. Coverage describes it as part of a strategy to position Aqaba as a regional hub for blue economy activity, supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and applied research, with support aimed at SMEs transitioning toward blue-economy activities.

At the same time, international development work in Aqaba is emphasizing marine protection and planning frameworks (including marine spatial planning) to ensure investments don’t damage the ecosystems they rely on.

For visitors, the takeaway is simple: Aqaba’s tourism future is being shaped by what happens below the surface — and ABOFA is one visible sign of that direction.

Who should care about this event?

ABOFA is worth attention even if you’re not part of the marine industry.

If you’re a traveler

You may find Aqaba more active during that period, with more events, industry visitors, and related activities happening in the city. If you like Aqaba for its energy, September 2026 could be a fun time to visit — while the sea is still warm and the summer rush begins to ease.

If you’re a local tourism business

ABOFA is a chance to put your service in front of:

• Regional travel partners
• Equipment and activity brands
• Media covering diving and marine travel
• Stakeholders interested in sustainable tourism

If you’re a diving center, water sports operator, boat trip provider, or even a beach club, this is directly in your lane.

If you’re building an eco-tourism or sustainability identity

ABOFA fits the bigger story of how Aqaba can grow without ruining what makes it attractive. That’s especially relevant given the emphasis on marine reserves and blue-economy planning work happening in Aqaba.

Planning a visit to Aqaba around ABOFA (practical travel notes)

Even if you’re not attending the exhibition itself, visiting Aqaba around ABOFA dates can be planned like a “sea-focused” city break.

Where to base yourself

• Downtown Aqaba: convenient for restaurants, cafés, and evening walks.
• South Beach / coastal resort areas: better for direct beach time and quick access to water activities.
• Best Restaurants in Aqaba
• Where to stay in Aqaba

What to do between sessions (or instead of them)

Aqaba is easy to enjoy in short blocks of time:

• Morning dive or snorkeling trip
• Lunch on the coast
• Afternoon paddleboard / kayak
• Sunset boat cruise

Book early if you’re coming specifically for the event

Large events can tighten availability in hotels and popular excursions. Since ABOFA is designed as a regional flagship and is promoted by major event partners, it’s safer to plan ahead if you want specific hotels or premium trips.