Tuesday 04 / February / 2025
Muscat: North Al Batinah Governorate boasts a diverse range of tourism assets, including mountains, wadis, sea, sand dunes, and springs, making it an attractive winter tourism destination.
The governorate also features several proposed sites for adventure tourism and models for simulating these sites.
The Directorate of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) in North Al Batinah Governorate stated that by the end of 2024, the number of hotel establishments registered with the directorate reached 58, comprising hotels, hotel apartments, guesthouses, green inns and tourist rest houses, which include 1,591 rooms and 395 apartments.
Additionally, the number of castles and forts in the governorate reached 20 by the end of last year, and several historical landmarks have been offered for investment, with agreements signed for the management and operation of three forts in the governorate.
Hassan bin Sulaiman Al Jabri, Director of the MHT Directorate in North Al Batinah Governorate, said, “The directorate here encourages SMEs to invest in various tourism products and experiences, which are highly popular among visitors to different wilayats of the governorate. These include establishing guesthouses, green inns hotel apartments, and rest houses. Coordination is ongoing with various government entities to optimise the projects being implemented, enhance the services offered, and market them effectively. Furthermore, we continuously coordinate with the Office of the Governor of North Al Batinah to increase the number of utilised tourism sites in line with the governorate’s total potential, in alignment with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.”
Al Jabri explained that last year, new tourism licences were issued for hotel establishments, including 11 hotel apartments, green inns and six guesthouses, which are currently under construction.
Additionally, it is expected that 2025 will witness the opening of two new hotel establishments, three green inns and three guesthouses.
He added, “There is a need to focus on activities and events that set the governorate apart from others, including sports events, exhibitions, conferences, skilled artisans, local folk bands, and the unique lifestyle of the governorate. Special attention should also be given to promoting Omani traditional cuisine, as the Sultanate of Oman stands out in the region for its diverse culinary offerings. Mountain hiking and adventure tourism are also gaining significant popularity in the governorate’s wilayats. We are currently working to enhance these activities in collaboration with various public and private entities, while introducing safety and security guidelines that must be adhered to by those working in this vital sector. These activities significantly contribute to promoting various tourism and heritage sites.”
Al Jabri further noted that winter camping projects in mountainous and remote wadi areas are attracting the private sector and entrepreneurs.
He emphasised that in recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in requests from SMEs for tourism-related projects and the issuance of tourism licenses for hotel establishments, tourism facilities, and travel and tourism agencies in the governorate.
He concluded by highlighting the directorate’s efforts to develop adventure tourism. A seminar focusing on adventure tourism was held, promoting the governorate’s tourist sites. Additionally, several Omani tourism companies specialising in adventure tourism were hosted, and a tourism programme was organised for them to visit adventure tourism sites. A similar programme was also organised for over 20 tourism companies from GCC countries.
