London: The city of London today celebrated the launch of the expedition project titled “Oman: Jewel of the Arabia”.
The ceremony was held under the auspices of His Royal Highness Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, and His Royal Highness Prince William, Prince of Wales.
The project commemorates the 1928 journey of British explorer Bertram Thomas who became the first European to cross the Rub’ Al Khali desert (The Empty Quarter), following ancient Omani trade routes.
The project aims to highlight the cultural and natural heritage of the Sultanate of Oman and raise global awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability issues.
The project also seeks to promote the Sultanate of Oman’s status as a global destination that combines cultural and natural heritage, as well as the country’s commitment to supporting environmental sustainability efforts.
The journey will be documented through the publication of a book and promotional materials that highlight the experience and open up new vistas for tourism and cultural cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the world.
The expedition, scheduled to begin in January of 2025, will trace a historic route from Ras Al Hadd in the Wilayat of Sur, South Al Sharqiyah Governorate, following the coastline to the city of Salalah in the Dhofar Governorate. The trip combines traditional means of transportation such as camels and walking, with modern means of transportation such as using four-wheel drive vehicles.
This 30- day journey will bring together Omani youth and British travel enthusiasts in a unique cultural exchange.
The launch ceremony included a promotional film chronicling the journey and its objectives, in addition to the launch of the project’s website, which will keep pace with all stages of the trip through continuous media coverage.
An exhibition featuring historical artifacts from the first voyage in 1928 was held on the sidelines of the event.
The exhibition gave attendees an opportunity to learn about Oman’s rich cultural heritage.
“Oman: Jewel of Arabia” is not merely an exploratory trip, but it symbolizes a bridge between the past and the future, reflecting the spirit of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Kingdom.
