Oman’s MHT assigns management, operation of 15 historical monuments to local companies and institutions

Muscat: The number of heritage sites that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has assigned the management and operation of as tourist destinations has reached 15 historical landmarks, which have been assigned to local companies and institutions, within the framework of the Ministry’s strategy aimed at employing cultural heritage, enhancing its contribution to economic growth, and activating and strengthening community partnership with the aim of Sustaining heritage and national heritage, enhancing the heritage sector’s contribution to economic activity, and increasing the sources of tourist attractions and their diversity, as the number of visitors to heritage sites by the end of September 2023 reached about 80,317 visitors.

Ziana bint Muhammad Al-Harrasiyah, Head of the Rehabilitation and Development Department for Historical Sites at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said that the institutions operating heritage sites seek to develop and improve the tourist experiences associated with the site, which leads to enriching the visitor cognitively, touristically and culturally, and thus this improvement contributes to enhancing the attractions of the tourism product as a whole.

She explained that the added value of the tourism sector lies in enriching tourism through projects of local added value that benefit the local community, by providing direct and indirect job opportunities by empowering the private sector and small and medium enterprises, involving productive families in the local community, creating marketing outlets for craftsmen, and holding events and activities on the ground. Throughout the year and involving arts owners in all their contexts.

She explained that the Ministry is working to ensure the optimal operation of the sites through periodic follow-up by specialists from the Ministry and following up on the progress of work and implementation according to the agreed upon plan and the vision presented by the company represented by the timetable for preparation and operation and the annual program of events.

Among the most important heritage sites that have been managed and operated are Nizwa Castle in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah, Fort Jibreen in the Wilayat of Bahla in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah, Muttrah Fort in the Muscat Governorate, Kut Bait Al Askar in the Wilayat of Taqah in the Dhofar Governorate, the waterfront shops of the Al Baleed Cafés archaeological site in the Wilayat of Salalah, and Nakhal Castle in the Governorate of Dhofar. South Al Batinah, and Wadi Dawka Reserve in Thumrait State, Dhofar Governorate.

In addition to the Al Khamis Wall and Tower in the South Al Batinah Governorate, Kot Hamran in the Dhofar Governorate, the Rakhyut Fort in the Dhofar Governorate, the Bait Al Rudaydah Fort in the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, the Bahla Fort in the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, Al Khaboura Fort in the North Al Batinah Governorate, Al Mirani Fort in the Muscat Governorate, and the Liwa Fort in the North Governorate. Subconscious.