
Oman's cultural, heritage, and tourism diversity showcased at Expo Osaka 2025
Osaka: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism on Wednesday organised a specialized event highlighting Oman's diverse cultural, heritage, and tourism offerings as part of the accompanying activities for the Sultanate of Oman's participation in Expo Osaka 2025 in Japan.
The event was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth, along with the General Commission of Oman Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025.
The one-day event took place at the "Festival Plaza Station" hall in Expo Osaka 2025 and featured a variety of specialised displays, activities, and corners showcasing Oman's rich cultural, heritage, and tourism diversity. The initiative aimed to introduce, promote, and spotlight Oman's unique attractions.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Times of Oman
Nizwa: sustainable development bridging heritage and investment horizons
Nizwa — The Wilayat of Nizwa in the Governorate of A'Dakhiliyah stands as one of Oman's most prominent cultural and touristic destinations, renowned for its rich historical legacy and archaeological landmarks that chronicle significant chapters of the nation's past. Its distinctive architectural and heritage sites beautifully encapsulate Oman's authentic cultural identity. The iconic Nizwa Fort dominates the historical landscape as a masterpiece of traditional Omani architecture and engineering. Adjacent to the fort, the vibrant Nizwa Souq (market) showcases exceptional local craftsmanship, from intricately forged daggers and handcrafted silverware to traditional markets selling livestock, fresh produce, and artisanal goods. Falaj Daris, recognized on UNESCO's World Heritage list as one of Oman's largest aflaj irrigation systems, represents another jewel in Nizwa's heritage crown. This ancient water network sustains extensive agricultural lands while demonstrating centuries-old Omani ingenuity in sustainable water management. The recent development of a public garden within the falaj has further enhanced its ecological and touristic value. Nizwa's strategic geographical location, combined with its diverse topography of wadis (valleys), mountains, and verdant oases, has established it as a prime destination for cultural and eco-tourism. These natural assets, along with progressive development initiatives, have positioned the Wilayat of Nizwa as an attractive investment hub for tourism and infrastructure projects. Nizwa has achieved remarkable progress in sustainable development through Strategic initiatives have been launched in Nizwa in a bid to achieve remarkable progress in sustainable development. These initiatives have further enhanced urban infrastructure and quality of life. Significant development projects currently underway include A'Dakhiliyah Square launched earlier this year, an RO 7 million Integrated Public Transport Station, and restoration works in Haray Al Aqr where wall rehabilitation stands 65% complete with pathway paving 20% finished. The Public Garden Project has reached 40% completion, collectively aiming to elevate Nizwa's status as Oman's premier cultural-tourism destination while creating new economic opportunities. Harat Al Aqr (an old neighborhood renovated by the locals) has transformed into a flagship example of youth empowerment, hosting 78 entrepreneurial ventures that have generated over 300 jobs for young Omanis. This revitalization has turned the historical quarter into a dynamic center for innovation and traditional crafts, featuring heritage cafes, artisanal shops, private museums, restored guesthouses, and classic car exhibitions. The area's cultural renaissance has dramatically increased property values from RO 10 to RO 1,500 per square meter and now attracts over 20 official delegations annually. Sheikh Saleh Thiyab Al Rubaie, Wali of Nizwa, emphasized to Oman News Agency (ONA) that developmental projects are strategically designed to strengthen local economies while preserving cultural heritage. He noted Nizwa's unique historical assets perfectly position it to benefit from sustainable tourism and knowledge-based economic models. The Wali highlighted how historical neighborhood restoration forms a cornerstone of Nizwa's economic strategy, serving the dual purpose of safeguarding cultural identity through architectural conservation while creating employment via tourism and SME development. Nizwa Industrial City, under the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn), represents another facet of Nizwa's growth with 186 operational projects across 7.2 million square meters of developed area, attracting RO 504 million in cumulative investments and generating 6,100 jobs with a 45% Omanization rate. Eng. Ishaq Ibrahim Al Kharousi, Acting Director General, revealed Madayn's upcoming RO 1.2 million Entrepreneurial Complex and ongoing studies for an integrated residential zone within the industrial city. On her turn, Ahlam Hamad Al Qasabi, Director of Heritage and Tourism, outlined the ministry's comprehensive SME support programs including streamlined licensing procedures, specialized training initiatives, and incentive packages for heritage hospitality ventures. She noted how the conversion of historical homes into heritage inns perfectly illustrates the purple economy approach, citing 600,000 visitors to Harat Al Aqr in the first quarter of 2023 as evidence of this model's success in merging cultural preservation with economic viability. The ministry continues to prioritize fortress restorations and historical documentation to enhance Oman's sustainable tourism offerings while safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. This comprehensive development approach positions Nizwa as a model for balanced sustainable growth, where cultural heritage preservation and modern economic development progress hand in hand, creating new opportunities while maintaining the unique identity. —— Ends/AH


Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Times of Oman
South Al Sharqiyah: A summer haven for adventure and nature lovers
Muscat: South Al Sharqiyah Governorate is a prime summer tourist destination thanks to its rich natural diversity and geographical location, which includes beaches, mountain valleys, golden sands, and nature reserves. The governorate boasts several tourist destinations, including the Fath Al Khair Center, Ras Al Jinz Nature Reserve, and the Al Sulayyil Nature Reserve in the Wilayat of Al Kamil and Al Wafi. South Al Sharqiyah Governorate is famous for its historical and archaeological assets, including several historic castles and forts. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism reported that the number of visitors to tourist sites in the governorate during the past year (2024) reached 38,793, while the number of visitors to the governorate in the first quarter of 2025 reached approximately 5,655. Abdullah bin Rashid Al Hajri, Director of the Heritage and Tourism Department in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate, said that the governorate is one of the Sultanate of Oman's governorates, some of whose wilayats enjoy moderate summer weather and a tourist attraction that combines a coastal environment with towering mountains and sweeping valleys. This creates an exceptional destination for adventure and exploration enthusiasts, making it an ideal destination for water sports enthusiasts and an ideal place for camping, fishing, watching turtles, kitesurfing, and visiting traditional shipbuilding workshops. Al Hajri added that South Al Sharqiyah Governorate is unique in the presence of green turtles during the nesting period from June to August, making it a tourist attraction in the governorate. The Director of the Department of Heritage and Tourism in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate pointed out that visitors to the governorate during the summer can visit many historical sites such as (Bilad Sur Fort, Al Sunaysla Fort, Ras Al Hadd Fort, Jalan Bani Bu Hassan Fort, and Al Ayjah Fort), in addition to visiting tourist sites in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate during the summer, including the turtle reserve in Ras Al Jinz, Wadi Al Shab, Wadi Tiwi, Mebam Village, Masirah Island, Kabikab Tombs, and Falaj Al Jila, which has been classified on the World Heritage List.


Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Times of Oman
Oman launches its first tourist hot air balloon project in Turkiye
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has launched its first tourist hot air balloon within the "Oman Balloons" project in Cappadocia, the Republic of Turkiye, as part of the promotional phase of the project. This initiative comes within the efforts of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism to develop and diversify the tourism product while strengthening Oman's position as a unique regional and international destination. The project aims to attract international expertise in hot air balloon tourism and localize it in Oman, contributing to the growth of tourism experiences and providing new options for both domestic and international tourists. It also aligns with the ministry's support for private sector-led tourism initiatives and enhances public-private partnerships to achieve tourism development goals. "Oman Balloon No. 1" will begin its first flights within the Sultanate of Oman from the Wilayat of Bidiyah in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, offering a unique experience to explore breathtaking landscapes from the sky, showcasing Oman's diverse tourism attractions. The balloon has been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority in Oman and features a design suitable for Omani weather conditions, with a capacity of up to 20 passengers in addition to the technical crew consisting of a pilot and an assistant. The "Oman Balloons" project is one of the qualitative initiatives supported by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism due to its active role in promoting experiential tourism and providing panoramic views of tourist sites. This contributes to highlighting Oman's natural and cultural richness from an innovative perspective while attracting a broader segment of visitors seeking unique travel experiences.