Pepping up local tourism, supporting SMES
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism on Sunday held a press conference to reveal the festivals that the ministry will organise during 2023.
Organising the festivals is aimed at stimulating local tourism, promoting the heritage, natural and tourism elements, enhancing the Sultanate of Oman’s rank on the tourism map and contributing to adding value to the local community by supporting small and medium enterprises (SMES) and increasing the number of reservations in hotels.
Azzan bin Qasim al Busaidy, Under-secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, said that the ministry will organise the Desert Adventures Festival at Sharqiya Sands in the Governorate of North Al Sharqiyah from January 29 to February 4. This festival will include various activities and will be held in cooperation with several public and private entities.
Al Busaidy pointed out that the Desert Adventures Festival aims at revitalising winter tourism in the governorate in general, and in the Wilayat of Bidiya in particular.
This year, Al Busaidy said, the ministry will also launch the first edition of the Omani Maritime Heritage Festival, from February 3 to 19, in the Wilayat of Sur in the Governorate of
South Al Sharqiyah. This festival will highlight the historical and present role of the Wilayat of Sur, as a commercial and historical hub and an area deeply related to ship building over centuries.
The Omani Maritime Heritage Festival, will include the Maritime Heritage Village, to tell the story of the maritime heritage that Sur is well-known for. It will also include an Omani Food Carnival, to host a series of interactive activities that allow visitors to explore several renowned Omani and international dishes, with a focus on fresh local seafood.
The festival will also include a life simulation of the traditional sea voyage which embodies the historical journey of Omani ships to and from the Omani ports. Also, the simulation covers mechanism of transporting and loading goods and cargo in the past, accompanied by folk arts, Al Busaidy added.
The under-secretary elaborated that this festival will also include side events such as a windsurfing experience, a sailing experience, marine championships for juniors and professionals, a sea fishing competition, a symposium on maritime heritage and a traditional boat race.
He added that during this year, the ministry will organise the annual Festival of Al Dakhiliyah Governorate which is planed for the period from February 23 to March 4. The event will be held in cooperation with Al Dakhiliyah Governor’s Office.
The Festival of Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, will include a number of cultural, heritage, entertainment and adventure events, as well as several tourism experiences that are unique to the governorate. During the festival, several seminars and dialogue sessions will be held, in addition to a show of horses, camels and a gliding show, among other activities.
Furthermore, the undersecretary pointed out that the ministry is preparing to hold the second edition of the Empty Quarter Festival at the Wilayat of Thamrait, the Governorate of Dhofar, from January 25 to February 3. The event will be held in cooperation with several public and private entities.
The Empty Quarter Festival, he said, aims to shed light on prominent winter tourism features and attract investors to available investment opportunities in the governorate.
The event will include various heritage, tourism, entertainment and sports activities, in addition to competitions and marketing exhibitions.