05 August 2010
MUSCAT -- The Ministry of Tourism has been always participating positively in the development process in the national economy. The main purpose of founding this ministry was to reduce the dependence on oil by promoting tourism in the country. The Sultanate has become one of the important Arabian tourist countries in a very short time.
Dhofar has got the lion's share of these projects. A large number of projects were carried out in the region which helped promote tourism especially in fall season.
Khalid Mussalam al Rowas, General Manager of the Directorate-General of Tourism, spoke in detail about these projects. He said the first gratitude given by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos to Dhofar is building Al Murooj Theatre with a capacity of 6,500 spectators. The theatre is built to be a cultural and moral platform in the region.
Some youth hostels were built in Sahlanoot and Al Marneef Cave in Maqseel is being improved. Other projects under way are visitors centre in Samhram, reconstruction of Taqa Castle and beautification of TV studio in Ateen Hights. Al Rowas said the guiding signs project has been accomplished and some development works are in the pipeline in Ateen, Jarziz Spring, Aqbat Hamrir and Sahlanoot Spring.
Regarding Salalah Beach Resort, he said the project consists of three hotels, one harbour (marina), golf field, hypermarket, villas and apartments. Muriya Tourism Development is executing the first phase of the resort. The resort consists of 32 hotel units of luxury.
Another project is the Salalah World -- a commercial complex consisting of stores, global restaurants, hypermarket, cinema halls and billiards hall, entertainment hall and apartments. The complex, being built by Kuwait United Real Estate Company, will be ready soon.
The company is now planning a complete resort project in Al Shuwaimiya.
Al Rowas said work on a new resort in Aftalqoot will start immediately after studying the project.
There are also some other projects which will be implemented like an environment resort in Mirbat and a project to develop Al Maqseel and Al Fazayih Area.
Some tourist information centres are being operated from June 21 to September 21. One of them is in the directorate and is working 24 hours. Another one is in the airport and it receives all domestic and international flights.
He said Hareet Centre is conducting annual statistics and providing visitors with the maps, material and needed information.
To promote Salalah as one of the international touristic destinations, the Ministry of Tourism signed a contract with one of the international tourist companies to facilitate flights coming from Sweden to Salalah.
Al Rowas added that there about 29 ships visited Salalah in 2009.
MUSCAT -- The Ministry of Tourism has been always participating positively in the development process in the national economy. The main purpose of founding this ministry was to reduce the dependence on oil by promoting tourism in the country. The Sultanate has become one of the important Arabian tourist countries in a very short time.
Dhofar has got the lion's share of these projects. A large number of projects were carried out in the region which helped promote tourism especially in fall season.
Khalid Mussalam al Rowas, General Manager of the Directorate-General of Tourism, spoke in detail about these projects. He said the first gratitude given by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos to Dhofar is building Al Murooj Theatre with a capacity of 6,500 spectators. The theatre is built to be a cultural and moral platform in the region.
Some youth hostels were built in Sahlanoot and Al Marneef Cave in Maqseel is being improved. Other projects under way are visitors centre in Samhram, reconstruction of Taqa Castle and beautification of TV studio in Ateen Hights. Al Rowas said the guiding signs project has been accomplished and some development works are in the pipeline in Ateen, Jarziz Spring, Aqbat Hamrir and Sahlanoot Spring.
Regarding Salalah Beach Resort, he said the project consists of three hotels, one harbour (marina), golf field, hypermarket, villas and apartments. Muriya Tourism Development is executing the first phase of the resort. The resort consists of 32 hotel units of luxury.
Another project is the Salalah World -- a commercial complex consisting of stores, global restaurants, hypermarket, cinema halls and billiards hall, entertainment hall and apartments. The complex, being built by Kuwait United Real Estate Company, will be ready soon.
The company is now planning a complete resort project in Al Shuwaimiya.
Al Rowas said work on a new resort in Aftalqoot will start immediately after studying the project.
There are also some other projects which will be implemented like an environment resort in Mirbat and a project to develop Al Maqseel and Al Fazayih Area.
Some tourist information centres are being operated from June 21 to September 21. One of them is in the directorate and is working 24 hours. Another one is in the airport and it receives all domestic and international flights.
He said Hareet Centre is conducting annual statistics and providing visitors with the maps, material and needed information.
To promote Salalah as one of the international touristic destinations, the Ministry of Tourism signed a contract with one of the international tourist companies to facilitate flights coming from Sweden to Salalah.
Al Rowas added that there about 29 ships visited Salalah in 2009.
By Amer Ghanim al Rowas
© Oman Daily Observer 2010
