TOURISM, CULTURE AND HERITAGE IN AL SHARQIYAH

To promote its tourist destinations, the North Al Sharqiyah governorate is organising an economic forum today, November 28. The forum is on till December 7. It is expected that thousands of tourists from various governorates of Oman and countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council will attend this forum. It is being organised under the slogan of ‘tourism development’.

The governorate is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of the Sultanate. It has many natural, archaeological and heritage tourist destinations which attract tourists throughout the year, particularly in the winter. These are accompanied by activities which encourage recreational activities, Omani arts, camel and horse racing, four-wheel drive activities in oases and sand dunes, mountain climbing and trekking. The governorate is also known for its towering mountains along the undulating sand dunes of Al Sharqiyah Sands. There are also a number of archaeological settlements built of bricks that are now tempting visitors to explore.

Ali bin Salim Al Hajri, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) in North Al Sharqiyah governorate and chief patron of the forum said that “all preparations are done to start the forum, which will continue till December 7. It is expected to attract large number of visitors from various governorates of the Sultanate and the GCC countries. This is particularly coinciding with the celebrations of the 48th National Day of the country which is being held since last ten days. It includes a broad and rich variety of the tourism sector of the governorate and highlights its tourism, environmental, natural, heritage, geographic and cultural components of the governorate. It also touches the aspirations of the tourism strategy of the Sultanate and of making it a vital sector to support the national economy.”

He said that the programme of the forum, organised by the local branch of the OCCI in the North Al Sharqiyah governorate, will have participation from all the wilayats of the governorate during the forum.

A heritage village will also be made during the forum. There would be seminars, competitions, popular local games, activities of traditional arts, horse and camel races, poetry and plays.

The forum is aimed at revitalising the economic activity in the governorate with its six wilayats which are known for their diverse tourist attractions.

The forum will also focus on prominent tourist attractions of the governorate. During the forum, efforts would also be made to develop cooperation between various private and public sector organisations.

Talal bin Khalfan Al Shuaibi, Director of Tourism in North Al Sharqiyah, said that the second North Al Sharqiyah tourist forum was being organised to highlight the historical and natural tourism elements for which different wilayats of the government are known. It will also help in marketing of the governorate and the creation of opportunities, businesses and various other activities. For the purpose, various programmes and events are being organised in the forum. All this will contribute to the flow of tourists to the governorate and revive the tourism movement. The main objective of the forum is to highlight prominent tourist destinations and heritage sites of the governorate. The objective of cooperation and integration between different government and private organisations, creation of investment opportunities and getting benefits from visiting investors would also be achieved. This forum will help in developing spirit of cooperation between the people of the wilayats of the governorate, increase commercial activities and help in protection and conservation of the cultural heritage.

Al Shuaibi said that in cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and the OCCI in organisation of the forum which would have local and Gulf participation a media plan has been made. It is for promotion and introduction of the activities of the forum. The print, audio and visual media, as well as social networking sites and various accounts of the ministry, will be used to send various promotional messages of the event.

He said that the sites which attract most of the tourists were in wilayats of Bidiya and Wadi Bani Khalid. Other wilayats of the governorate also get their share of tourists. But we do not focus only on Bidiya and Wadi Bani Khalid. Our focus is in various wilayats of the governorate. We educate and inform the tourists, visitors and residents about the wilayat Ibra, Al Mudhaibi, Al Qabi, Dima wal Tayyeen so that they also get their share in tourism movement.

He said that there were 10 tourist camps in North Al Sharqiyah governorate, which have 461 rooms with 779 beds.

The six wilayats of North Al Sharqiyah governorate, Ibra, Bidia, Al Qabil, Wadi Bani Khalid, Al Mudhaibi, Dama wal Tayyeen, are attracting tourists from inside and outside the Sultanate throughout the year.

These tourists are from various segments. These wilayats have more than 30 prominent tourist sites. They are forts, villages, houses, waterfalls, historic mosques, water parks, natural wadis, traditional souqs, golden sands, hotels, guest-houses and tourist camps and tour operators.

The camel races and shows, equestrian sports, Omani traditional arts are prominent attractions for tourism.

Among these tourist destinations in the wilayats of North Al Sharqiyah governorate are the water ponds in the Wilayat Wadi Bani Khalid, the oasis of Bidiya and Al Qabil, archaeological sites at Samad Al Shan, fountain of Al Falaj, Falaj Al Murr, Sokhna, Al Misfah in Dima wal Tayyeen and Indam. There are famous forts including Al Muntarib, Beit Al Yahmadi, Al Rowdha, Al Khubaib and Al Jawaber. There is also Al Ridda lane in Wilayat AlMudhaibi, the old Safala souq, Al Qanater village, Souq Al Alayah, Masjid zo Qiblatain, archaeological region in wilayat Ibra and the village of Al Mudhayrab in Wilayat Al Qabil and Sinow Souq and historic Al Maseela souq in wilayat Al Mudhaibi and many other sites which attract tourists.