{{Short description|Real estate project in Aqaba, Jordan}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2026}} [[File:The waterfront residential component in Ayla Oasis.tif|thumb|Waterfront residential complex and marina at Ayla Oasis]] '''Ayla Oasis''' is a $1.4 billion real estate development project in [[Aqaba]], [[Jordan]]. The development aims to create a "luxurious waterfront community" on the shores of the [[Red Sea]]. The project covers an area of approximately {{convert|17|km2}} and has residential, commercial, and leisure facilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adc.jo/Public/English.aspx?Lang=&Site_ID=1&Page_ID=2291&Menu_ID=27&M_ID=&M_Title=&T=1 |title=Real Estate & Tourism Projects |accessdate=27 September 2015 |website=adc.jo |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928035501/http://www.adc.jo/Public/English.aspx?Lang=&Site_ID=1&Page_ID=2291&Menu_ID=27&M_ID=&M_Title=&T=1 |archivedate=28 September 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Aqaba Development Cooperation |url=https://www.adc.jo/project_details.aspx?pro_id=1046 | website = adc.jo | accessdate = 22 September 2025 }}</ref> Ayla Oasis is centered around a marina and a golf course. The golf course was designed by [[Greg Norman]] and opened in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/content/ayla-oasis-dealing-with-extremes | website = golfcoursearchitecture.net | title = Ayla Oasis: Dealing with extremes | date = 1 July 2019 | accessdate = 22 September 2025 }}</ref>
The development, which involved the construction of man-made seawater lagoons to create additional waterfronts,<ref name="gulfnews.com">{{cite web | url = https://gulfnews.com/world/ayla-oasis-sets-example-for-creative-development-in-jordan-1.1653382906266 | website = Gulf News | title = Ayla Oasis sets example for creative development in Jordan | date = 25 May 2022 | accessdate = 22 September 2025 | archive-date = 2 August 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230802173118/https://gulfnews.com/world/ayla-oasis-sets-example-for-creative-development-in-jordan-1.1653382906266 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Al-Sawalmih">{{citation | last1 = Al-Sawalmih | first1 = Ali | last2 = Alshammari | first2 = Nader | last3 = Altaleb | first3 = Haya | last4 = Al-Jawasreh | first4 = Raid | last5 = Maitah | first5 = Rawan | title = Ayla Oasis Lagoons: A Model for Ecological Sustainability and Marine Conservation in Aqaba, Jordan | journal = Sustainability | doi = 10.3390/su17031279 | date = February 2025 | volume = 17 | issue = 3 | page = 1279 | bibcode = 2025Sust...17.1279A | doi-access = free | via = MDPI }}</ref> features villas, apartments, and (as of 2018) two hotels.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://jordantimes.com/news/business-club/ayla-receives-several-honours-international-property-awards-london | website = The Jordan Times | title = Ayla receives several honours at the International Property Awards in London | date = 17 December 2018 | accessdate = 22 September 2025 | archive-date = 12 December 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241212145650/https://jordantimes.com/news/business-club/ayla-receives-several-honours-international-property-awards-london | url-status = live }}</ref> The property, which has retail outlets, restaurants, cafes, bars, recreational facilities, leisure and entertainment amenities, also has a marina. This marina, which has berthing facilities for yachts and boats,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Ideal Destination in Aqaba - Ayla Marina Village Retail Experience |url=https://www.ayla.com.jo/things-to-do-in-aqaba-jordan/marina-village-experience/ |website=ayla.com.jo |accessdate=22 September 2025 |archive-date=8 October 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008003905/https://www.ayla.com.jo/things-to-do-in-aqaba-jordan/marina-village-experience/ |url-status=live }}</ref> reportedly received environmental and safety awards in 2024.<ref>{{cite press release | url = https://www.petra.gov.jo/Include/InnerPage.jsp?ID=56373&lang=en&name=en_news | title = Ayla Marina Awarded for Environmental and Safety Excellence at Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards | website = petra.gov.jo | date = 22 January 2024 | accessdate = 22 September 2025 | archive-date = 23 January 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240123070129/https://petra.gov.jo/Include/InnerPage.jsp?ID=56373&lang=en&name=en_news | url-status = live }}</ref>
== History == The project concept originated in 2002 after the Jordanian government allocated land in Aqaba for investment. [[Sabih al-Masri]] established Ayla Oasis on a site that was previously barren and contained remnants of mines. Development began in 2008 under the management of Sahl Dudin and was aligned with the strategic plan of the [[Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority]] (ASEZA) to diversify Aqaba's economy.<ref name="gulfnews.com" />
== Design and features == Ayla Oasis includes several residential communities, hotels and serviced apartments. The Hyatt brand operates within the development. The project also incorporates a marina, recreational areas, and cultural spaces that host exhibitions and community events.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Experience The Best of Ayla Oasis |url=https://www.ayla.com.jo/ |access-date=6 February 2026 |website=Ayla |language=en-GB |archive-date=3 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203022743/https://www.ayla.com.jo/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Independent source inline|date=February 2026}}
Ayla Oasis incorporates a number of environmental management practices, including [[Artificial reef|artificial coral reefs]], coral nurseries, wildlife, artificial lagoons, corridors and native plant landscaping.<ref name="Al-Sawalmih"/> The "Feather Trail" is a designated bird migration stopover that has recorded over 130 species, including globally threatened birds.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 January 2025 |title=Ayla Oasis becomes hub for birdwatching, biodiversity conservation - report |url=https://jordantimes.com/news/local/ayla-oasis-becomes-hub-birdwatching-biodiversity-conservation-report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725091743/https://jordantimes.com/news/local/ayla-oasis-becomes-hub-birdwatching-biodiversity-conservation-report |archive-date=25 July 2025 |access-date=6 February 2026 |work=The Jordan Times |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Sport== The site has an 18-hole championship golf course and a 9-hole academy course designed by [[Greg Norman]] Golf Course Design. The 18-hole course, which overlooks the Red Sea and surrounding mountains, is located within an artificial lagoon system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Golf |url=https://www.golfasien.de/golfplaetze/golfplaetze-jordanien/ort-3394-0/ |access-date=6 February 2026 |website=Ayla Golf Club |language=de-DE |archive-date=11 October 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251011065816/https://www.golfasien.de/golfplaetze/golfplaetze-jordanien/ort-3394-0/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It opened in 2016,{{Inconsistent|date=February 2026|reason=Text (and source?) above give 2017. Not 2016.}} The golf club also has golf academy facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Unique Golfing Experience in Jordan |url=https://www.ayla.com.jo/golf/ |website=ayla.com.jo |accessdate=22 September 2025 |archive-date=6 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906190516/https://www.ayla.com.jo/golf/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The course has previously hosted the Jordan Open Golf Championship.<ref>{{cite press release | url = https://petra.gov.jo/Include/InnerPage.jsp?ID=59977&lang=en&name=en_news | website = petra.gov.jo | title = Jordan Open Golf Championship Boosts Aqaba Tourism | date = 16 May 2024 | accessdate = 22 September 2025 | archive-date = 17 May 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240517014912/https://petra.gov.jo/Include/InnerPage.jsp?ID=59977&lang=en&name=en_news | url-status = live }}</ref>
Other sports facilities include water sports, [[tennis]], [[Association football|football]], padel and [[basketball]] facilities. There are also cycling and walking paths in the development.<ref>{{Cite web |last=الأردنية (بترا) |first=وكالة الأنباء |title=Ayla enhances sports sector with diverse facilities |url=https://petra.gov.jo/Include/https%3A%2F%2Fpetra.gov.jo%2FInclude%2FInnerPage.jsp%3FID%3D52078%26name%3Den_news%26lang%3Dar |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824220645/https://petra.gov.jo/Include/InnerPage.jsp?ID=52078&lang=en&name=en_news |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=6 February 2026 |website=petra.gov.jo}}</ref>{{better source|reason=Source is dead. And promotional.|date=February 2026}}
==References== {{reflist}}
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Jordan]] [[Category:Aqaba]]