Latest news with #MinistryOfHeritage
Zawya
19-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Dhofar expects high hotel occupancy as khareef draws visitors
Salalah – The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has confirmed that hotel establishments in Dhofar governorate have completed their preparations to welcome tourists for the 2025 khareef season. Hotels in the region are offering promotional packages and marketing programmes in anticipation of a high number of visitors during the season, which attracts tourists from across the region each year. Many hotels have introduced competitive prices and improved hospitality services, including guest reception and departure assistance, as well as guided tours to key tourist, heritage and entertainment sites. A key highlight this year is the increased presence of qualified Omani staff in the hotel and tourism sector, further supporting the local hospitality industry. Ahmed bin Mohammed al Ghassani, Director of the Quality Control Department at the Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar, said preparations began with an annual coordination meeting involving the directorate and representatives from the hotel and tourism sectors. The meeting focused on service readiness and maintaining high standards of quality across all facilities. Ghassani said there are now 100 licensed hotel establishments in Dhofar, offering more than 8,000 rooms. 'In 2024, hotel occupancy rates reached 90%, and we expect these figures to increase this year due to attractive marketing campaigns and seasonal promotions from hotels and tourism companies,' he said. He also noted the continued use of the 'Sikka' app during the 2025 season. Supervised by the Office of the Governor of Dhofar in coordination with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and Dhofar Municipality, the app regulates the real estate market and formalises rental agreements between landlords and tenants. The platform protects the rights of all parties and provides property owners with new ways to market their properties within Oman and abroad. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Dakhliyah records 415,000 tourists visiting in 2024
Nizwa – The Governorate of Dakhliyah welcomed more than 415,000 visitors in 2024, marking a growth of over 32% compared to the previous year, according to data released by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. Home to iconic heritage sites such as Nizwa Fort, Jabreen Castle and the Unesco World Heritage site of Bahla Fort, the governorate continues to solidify its position as one of the country's key cultural tourism hubs. Fakhriya bint Khamis al Ghassaniyah, Director of the Department of Tourism Product Development and Experiences at the ministry, confirmed that 2025 will see the rollout of an ambitious tourism development plan focused on diversifying tourism offerings and enriching visitor experiences. The ministry, in coordination with governors' offices across the sultanate, is implementing a series of qualitative projects as part of its wider tourism strategy. 'These projects aim to enhance the quality of the tourism product and broaden the range of experiences available to visitors, positioning Oman as a well-rounded and integrated tourist destination,' said Fakhriya. She added that the ministry remains committed to promoting cultural tourism as a cornerstone of its diversification strategy, with a strong focus on preserving and celebrating national identity. In line with this, the ministry has launched the Omani Food and Culinary Tourism programme, which includes initiatives such as documenting traditional Omani cuisine and developing culinary tourism itineraries. These experiences feature guided visits to traditional kitchens and restaurants serving authentic local dishes. 'The culinary programme not only highlights Omani gastronomy as a unique tourism attraction but also boosts the local economy,' Fakhriya said.
Times of Oman
10-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Plan devised for diverse projects in recreational tourism sectors
Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is implementing an ambitious plan in 2025 to diversify tourism sectors and enhance recreational offerings through a series of high-quality projects. These initiatives, coordinated with the governors' offices across Oman's various governorates, fall under the broader framework of the comprehensive tourism development plan. They aim to strengthen tourism infrastructure and expand the range of experiences available to visitors. The ministry highlighted some of the most prominent projects, including the Recreational Slides Project, Al Ashkhara Gateway Project, Recreational Fishing Project, Mountain Slopes Project, Aromatic Tourism Experiences Project, Falaj Experience Activation Project, Adventure Tourism Initiatives and the Great Oman Journey Experience Project. Fakhriya Khamis Al Ghassani, Director of the Product and Tourism Experiences Development Department at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, stated that these projects align with the objectives outlined in the comprehensive tourism development plan. They seek to enhance the quality of tourism offerings, boost competitiveness, and provide unique opportunities and experiences across various destinations, she explained. She added that these efforts support increasing the contribution of non-oil sectors to the GDP, attract local and foreign investments to Oman, and offer exceptional experiences for domestic, regional, and international tourists while appealing to diverse demographic groups. She affirmed that the ministry continues to promote cultural tourism as a cornerstone for diversifying the tourism product and reinforcing national identity. The ministry launched the 'Omani Cuisine and Culinary Arts Tourism" program, which includes multiple initiatives such as documenting Omani cuisine and developing dedicated culinary tourism routes. These routes feature visits to traditional kitchens and restaurants serving authentic recipes, elevating Omani gastronomy as a key element of the tourism experience. Al Ghassani lauded the pivotal role of Omani museums in showcasing history, culture, and living heritage. The ministry, she said, is enhancing museum content through interactive digital displays, allowing visitors to engage deeply with Oman's rich civilization. Museums serve as both educational and tourism institutions, blending physical exhibits with modern technology to present historical narratives in an engaging manner. She noted that statistics indicate significant growth in heritage site visitors. For instance, A'Dakhiliyah Governorate—home to landmarks such as Nizwa Fort and Jabrin Castle—welcomed over 415,000 visitors in 2024, marking a 32% increase compared to the previous year. This surge, she explained, is attributed to the development of heritage neighborhoods, improved services, and diversified tourism experiences.
Times of Oman
24-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Workshop to address challenges facing tourism sector
Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, in cooperation with the Oman 2040 Vision Implementation Follow-up Unit and a number of government and private entities, will organise a national workshop in Muscat on Monday. Titled 'Addressing the Challenges of Governance of Heritage and Tourism Development Management with Governorates", the four-day workshop aims to enhance institutional integration with governorates, achieve decentralisation in the heritage and tourism sector and address the challenges facing the governance of these two sectors. The workshop also aims to find comprehensive and sustainable solutions for the development and financing of service and tourism facilities, contributing to achieving sustainable development goals, raising the efficiency of institutional performance, and activating public-private partnerships. The workshop will address a number of vital aspects that fall within four main pillars: governance and institutional integration, investment and tourism development governance, public tourism and service facilities, and two pillars of general enablers related to employment, localisation, legislation, capacity building, common performance indicators, statistics and data, tourism promotion, and media communication. Representatives from 11 governorates, along with 17 other relevant entities, will participate in the session, along with a number of experts and specialists in the fields of governance, planning, and tourism development. This session is part of a series of initiatives implemented by the Ministry in cooperation with strategic partners as part of a programme to address the challenges facing the heritage and tourism sectors, with the aim of achieving balanced and comprehensive development across the Sultanate of Oman's governorates and fulfilling the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Zawya
Oman showcases cultural and tourism diversity at Expo Osaka
Muscat – The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism on Wednesday organised a specialised event to showcase the Sultanate of Oman's rich heritage and diverse cultural and tourism offerings, as part of its participation in Expo Osaka 2025 in Japan. The one-day event, held at the Festival Station Hall within the expo site, was conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, and the General Commission of the Sultanate of Oman Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025. The programme featured cultural performances, interactive activities and dedicated booths, offering visitors a glimpse into Oman's historical depth and tourism potential. The event aimed to introduce and promote Oman's unique identity on the international stage. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
