Over 250 adventurers participate in Jabal Shams Challenge

MUSCAT: Over 250 adventurers from the Gulf Cooperation Council, Arab and foreign nations participated in the third edition of the Jabal Shams adventure challenge.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Husak Group of the Mountain Al Jebal Al Hajariya company for Travel and Tourism. It was part of the efforts of the ministry of tourism to promote adventure tourism.

In the Sultanate, there is a huge demand for the natural elements tourism which included mountains, caves, and Wadis. All sorts of assistance are made available for adventure tourism in the country including mountain paths, guidelines and first aid kits, medical crews, rescue teams, and other required equipment and logistics for the adventure races.

The Department of Tourism in the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate provided logistical support to make the event a success. The event was the biggest event of its kind in Jabal Shams. Three participants were declared the winner of the challenge. They reached the highest point of the mountain called Jabal Shams, explored its natural components and attractions.

Ali Hussain, Director of Husak Group, said the Jabal Shams challenge was a huge success. This is due to the cooperation of the concerned authorities particularly the Ministry of Tourism. He said from among the 250 participants, most of them were from Gulf countries. The event showcased the potential of the growth of adventure tourism in Jabal Shams.

He added that we are making effort to make sure that the Sultanate emerges as the best country for adventure tourism due to its natural diversity, accessibility, safety, security and the hospitality of the Omani people. He also said that there was positive impression about the local communities and culture, Ali Hussein among the participants. The purity of the environment and its cleanliness was appreciated by them.

Ali Hussain said that the objective of these activities was to successfully make the Sultanate a unique tourist destination, particularly for those who are interested in adventure tourism. He said that the Sultanate has the components like mountains and deserts to attract them.

Many of the participants of this year’s challenge have said that they would continue to participate in the event next year. They have thanked concerned authorities for hospitality and arrangement.

Ahmed bin Nasser bin Salem al Abri said that organising the race challenge was an important step to promote adventure tourism in the Sultanate, especially Jabal Shams. The Ministry of Tourism wanted to promote adventure tourism in the country and Jabal Shams as one of the major tourist products. This is because the Sultanate has its natural ingredients. He added that the hosting of 250 adventurers who climbed Jabal Shams was successful. Oman is well prepared to host such events. The accommodation facilities of Al Hamra was the best place to accommodate all of them.

Khalid Jafar from Kuwait who represented the organising company said that this event attracted many adventure lovers from various countries. It showed that they liked the elements of Oman for adventure their tourism. He said that the experience was encouraging for all those who looked forward to making this event a success.

For the 12 participants who have come from Bahrain, the adventure tourism in the Sultanate of Oman was a surprise. It was a wonderful experience due to the natural diverse elements of this country, said Jassim al Bastaki, the Bahraini adventurer, who visits the Sultanate twice a year on motorcycles. He said that the Sultanate should be boldly promoted as major adventure tourism destination. I visited the Sultanate six times in eight months

Hala al Waqdani from Saudi Arabia said that she visited the Sultanate eight times in six months and toured several places to enjoy the beauty of nature of the country. “I found that Oman has most appropriate elements of adventure tourism and best in the region.