Bids invited to master plan tourism development in Sharqiyah Sands
In a move to boost tourism and contribute to the national economy, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has announced a tender for drawing a comprehensive tourism development master plan for Remal al Sharqiyah, the expansive sand dunes spanning North and South Sharqiyah.
The initiative aims to streamline the development efforts in the area, moving away from piecemeal approaches to prevent potential organisational, social and environmental challenges.
The proposed plan will involve crafting a detailed tourism strategy, including regulations for the region, pinpointing suitable tourism activities and events, and their spatial distribution. The plan is expected to provide a blueprint for proposed developmental activities within the area with submission deadline set for April 17.
The announcement follows the 2019 ministerial decision (No 75/2019), which recognised three significant areas within Sharqiyah Sands as official tourist zones. These include Shagat Mareekadh (16,014,892sqm), Shagat Um Dhalmaa and Ghalfeedh and Tharmadeah (157,852,896sqm combined), and Shagat Shougab (302,761,963sq m), collectively covering vast expanses of the desert landscape.
The tender has been met with enthusiasm from local stakeholders. Ali Salim al Hajri, a local entrepreneur and owner of Safari Desert Camp, praised the initiative as a crucial step towards attracting a greater number of tourists and foreign investment, spurring competition among local investors to enhance existing tourism services.
He highlighted the popularity of North Sharqiyah during the winter months, from October to April, as prime season for visitors to enjoy the desert's beauty and engage in activities like dune bashing, camel riding and camping. Ali underscored the need for improved infrastructure, including better road networks, Internet connectivity and entertainment facilities, to further elevate the tourism experience in Remal al Sharqiyah.
Echoing these views, Mohammed al Hajri, a resident of Bidiyah, expressed optimism that this initiative would transform Remal al Sharqiyah into a globally recognised tourist destination. He emphasised the potential for this development to bolster domestic tourism, generate employment opportunities, and support small and mediumsized enterprises and families engaged in cottage industries. Highlighting Sharqiyah Sands as a premier camping site in Oman, he advocated sustainable tourism practices and the introduction of adventure activities like paragliding, sand biking and sandboarding to enrich the visitor experience.
This strategic push towards developing Sharqiyah Sands reflects the sultanate’s commitment to harnessing its natural landscapes for sustainable tourism growth, promising a brighter future for local communities and the nation's economy.