N sharqiyah ready for tourists
The winter season makes North Sharqiyah the perfect destination for outdoor activities and the governorate is ready to receive a large number of visitors.
Popular for its golden sand dunes, the governorate hosts a variety of desert camps, which have completed preparations to receive tourists from around the world.
Speaking to Muscat Daily, Ali bin Salim al Hajri, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the governorate, said, “In the winter season - October to April - North Sharqiyah receives a large number of visitors from inside and outside the sultanate to enjoy its tourist attractions. The desert in the governorate is one of the most beautiful areas in Oman, especially in the winter season. It is also one of the most popular destinations for dune bashing, camel riding, desert crossings and camping.”
Ali bin Salim al Hajri informed that in a sign of a promising season ahead, bookings started early this year. “The governorate
has lined up several events, tourism activities and festivals that will support the tourism movement. One of the highlights of this season will be the North Sharqiyah Festival, which will be held in January 2023.”
According to Ali bin Salim al Hajri, there are 13 camps in North Sharqiyah offering around 380 rooms.
Badr Amer al Hajri, owner of Bidiyah Camp, described the beginning of this season as being on a “healthy note”.
“We are witnessing a large turnout of foreign tourists, residents and citizens. We have 35 air-conditioned rooms that are full, especially on the weekends.”
Sharing details of the activities that tourists like to indulge in, Badr Amer al Hajri informed that the tourists are mainly from European countries who like to
wear the traditional Omani dress and take photographs as souvenirs.
Tourists also enjoy watching the sunset, sandboarding, riding quad bikes, and visiting heritage villages that display traditional crafts, including pottery making. “We are expecting a huge increase in tourists in the coming days for camping in North Sharqiyah. This will undoubtedly re
vive tourism and increase the national income.”
About the tourist facilities available, Badr Amer al Hajri said
he hopes to get a road that leads to his camp repaired and to improve the Wifi service to support the large turnout of guests.
Another tourist facility, Oman Desert Private Camp in Bidiyah has prepared well to receive visitors. “We have a good number of reservations already,” said owner Ali al Hajri. “We have 12 rooms and we have reservations
on all days of the week. On weekends, rooms are fully booked. Most foreign tourists come from Germany, France,
Britain and the US.”
According to Ali al Hajri, all camps are keen to present artistic programmes such as folk art and Omani handicrafts, in addition to Omani food, drinks, distinctive Omani clothes and handcrafted ornaments. “We
offer trips and outdoor activities to enjoy the sands of Sharqiyah. We also have a unique feature - a 300m zip line to enthral guests.”
But with the sudden influx of tourists, the region also bears the brunt of environmental desecration and pollution. Mohammed Hamdan al Hajri, a concerned citizen from Bidiyah, has drawn the attention of authorities to prevent random camping that results in dumping of waste, es
pecially plastic, harming the environment and consequently affecting tourism itself.
“Sharqiyah Sands is considered one of the most beautiful places for camping in Oman and it should be conserved for sustainable tourism. The region has also started hosting adventure activities, including paragliding, sand biking and sandboarding,” he said.
Mohammed Hamdan al Hajri informed that Wadi Bani Khalid, one of the most picturesque wadis in Oman, as well as the wadis of the wilayat of Dima Wa al Taien, which flow all year around, are also located in the governorate. “The governorate has popular markets, including the Sinaw Market and a market
for women in the wilayat of Ibra.”
The tourists are mainly from European countries who like to wear the traditional Omani dress and take photographs as souvenirs. They also enjoy watching the sunset, sandboarding and quad biking Badr amer al Hajri