Tuesday 16 / April / 2024
Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism revealed today, in a press conference held at the Ministry's headquarters in Muscat, the festivals it is preparing for 2023 with the aim of stimulating the local tourism movement, promoting tourism, heritage and natural components, strengthening Oman's position on the tourism map, and creating added value for the local community through supporting institutions, as well as increasing the number of reservations in hotel establishments.
His Excellency Azzan bin Qasim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, said: "The Ministry will organize the Desert Adventures Festival in Al Sharqiyah Sands in the Wilayat of Bidiyah in the North A’Sharqiyah Governorate, during the period from January 29 to February 4, which will include a number of different and varied activities." He explained that these events will take on the character of adventure tourism. In the desert, in cooperation with governmental and private agencies, it aims to promote winter tourism in the governorate, and the state of Bidiyah in particular, and to create a community movement to visit the Sharqiya sands and learn about adventure tourism through the experience of visitors.
In his speech during the conference, His Excellency added that the Ministry will launch the first edition of the Omani Maritime Heritage Festival from 3 to 19 February in the Wilayat of Sur in Al Sharqiyah South Governorate to highlight the historical role of the Wilayat as a commercial and historical center, and a site of technical knowledge for the shipbuilding industry.
The festival will include the activities of the maritime heritage village, the Omani food carnival, and a simulation of the traditional sea voyage on the ground that embodies the historical journey of Omani ships to and from Omani ports. Marine championships for juniors and professionals, a marine fishing competition, and a seminar on marine heritage and traditional boat racing will also be included.
His Excellency explained that the Ministry intends to implement the annual festival for the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah from February 23 to March 4, in cooperation with the Office of the Governor of the Interior. It includes seminars, discussion sessions, a show of horses, camels, paragliding, evenings of artistry, chanting, and literature, recreational games, a mountain walking race, a mountain bike race, and other events.
In the Dhofar Governorate, His Excellency indicated that the Ministry, represented by the General Directorate of Heritage and Tourism in the Dhofar Governorate, is preparing to hold the activities of the Empty Quarter Festival in its second edition in Al Khadf area in Niyabat Al Shisr in the Wilayat of Thumrait from January 25 to February 3, in cooperation with a number of government agencies and the private sector, With the aim of highlighting the elements of winter tourism, attracting investors and introducing them to possible investment opportunities in the governorate, indicating that the festival will include many heritage, tourism, entertainment and sports events, in addition to organizing challenge competitions, marketing exhibitions and various artistic concerts.
On the other hand, His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism confirmed that the total number of visitors to the Sultanate of Oman in the year 2022 AD amounted to about 3 million visitors, thanks to the efforts made by the Ministry to encourage tourism and enhance tourism promotion plans.
