Oman’s Heritage Ministry Unveils 2023 Festivals

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism held today a press conference to reveal the festivals that the Ministry will organize during 2023.

Organizing those festivals is aimed at stimulating local tourism, promoting the heritage, natural and tourism elements, enhancing the Sultanate of Oman’s rank on the tourism map and contributing to adding value to the local community by supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and increasing the number of reservations in hotels.

Azzan Qasim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism said that the Ministry will organize the Desert Adventures Festival at A’Sharqiyah Sands in the Governorate of North A’Sharqiyah during the period from 29 January to 4 February 2023. This festival will include various activities and will be held in cooperation with several public and private entities.

Al Busaidi pointed out that the Desert Adventures Festival aims at revitalizing winter tourism in the governorate in general, and in the wilayat of Bidiyah in particular.

This year, Al Busaidi said, the Ministry will also launch the first edition of the Omani Maritime Heritage Festival, during the period from 3 to 19 February 2023, in the Wilayat of Sur at the Governorate of South A’Sharqiyah. This festivals will highlight the historical and present role of the Wilayat of Sur, as a commercial and historical hub and an area deeply related to ship building over centuries.

The Omani Maritime Heritage Festival, will include the Maritime Heritage Village, to tell the story of the maritime heritage that Sur is well-known for. It will also include an Omani Food Carnival, to host a series of interactive activities that allow visitors to explore several renowned Omani and international dishes, with a focus on fresh local seafood. The festival will also include a life simulation of the traditional sea voyage which embodies the historical journey of Omani ships to and from the Omani ports. Also, the simulation covers mechanism of transporting and loading goods and cargo in the past, accompanied by folk arts, Al Busaidi added.

The Undersecretary elaborated that this festival will also include side events such as a windsurfing experience, a sailing experience, marine championships for juniors and professionals, a sea fishing competition, a symposium on maritime heritage and a traditional boat race.

He added that during this year, the Ministry will organize the annual Festival of A’Dakhiliyah Governorate which is planed for the period from 23 February to 4 March 2023. The event will be held in cooperation with A’Dakhiliyah Governor’s Office.

The Festival of A’Dakhiliyah Governorate, Al Busaidi said, will include a number of cultural, heritage, entertainment and adventure events, as well as several tourism experiences that are unique to the governorate. During the festival, several seminars and dialogue sessions will be held, in addition to a show of horses, camels and a gliding show, among other activities.

Furthermore, the Undersecretary pointed out that the Ministry is preparing to hold the second edition of the Empty Quarter Festival at the Wilayat of Thumrait, the Governorate of Dhofar, in the period from 25 January to 3 February. The event will be held in cooperation with several public and private entities.

The Empty Quarter Festival, he said, aims to shed light on prominent winter tourism features and attract investors to available investment opportunities in the governorate. The event will include various heritage, tourism, entertainment and sports activities, in addition to competitions and marketing exhibitions. – ONA