Total investments in tourism sector passes RO 6bln

Muscat: The total volume of the existing and futuristic investments in mega tourism projects and integrated tourism complexes has exceeded RO 6 billion. Besides, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is currently implementing other projects at a value of more than RO 500 million as at the end of 2021.

In an exclusive interview with Oman Arabic, sister publication of the Observer, Salim bin Mohammed al Mahrooqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, said that the ministry’s investments during the upcoming period will focus mainly on developing integrated tourism complexes, completing the establishment of Oman Botanic Garden, developing hotel projects and tourist camps, developing adventure tourism projects, investing and operating historic sites and developing services in various tourist and historic sites in order to enhance the tourism industry in the Sultanate of Oman.

As per the National Investment Programme, the ministry aims to bring in at least RO 3 billion over the 2021-2023 period, the minister confirming that the Sultanate of Oman boasts unique tourism components that qualify it to attract all tourist groups from inside and outside the country. The ministry is aware of the importance of providing services in tourist sites and destinations. The tourism sector’s recovery plan from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, has been approved. Most of the plan’s pivots target to enhance domestic tourism and an amount of RO 5 million has been allocated to projects that can upgrade local tourism.

In order to fully implement the projects included in the plan, the ministry has coordinated with the offices of the governors to seek their opinions and identify the priorities and mechanisms for implementation and operation of these projects. Among the most important projects that serve local tourism is the ministry’s contribution to the development of the surrounding area of Ain Al Kasfah in the Wilayat of Al Rustaq and Ain Al Thawara in the Wilayat of Nakhl.

This is in addition to the development of the most important beaches in the governorates of Dhofar, North Al Batinah, South Al Sharqiyah, and Fins beach in the Wilayat of Qurayat. This includes the construction of walkways, children’s games, and service facilities such as cafes, restaurants and toilets and green spaces in some important valleys, such as Wadi Bani Awf, Wadi Bani Khalid, and the governorates of Al Dakhiliyah and Dhofar.