Over 332,000 tourists, 72 cruise ships visited Musandam in 2019

Muscat: The tourism sector of the Musandam governorate has seen a significant growth during 2019.

The number of tourists visiting the governorate reached 332,489. Similarly, the number of cruise ships visiting the governorate reached 72 during the period.

This is because the tourism sector in the governorate is one of the main sources of economic development.

Its massive heritage and tourism elements make it a promising region for the growth of tourism.

Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Dhahouri, Acting Director of Tourism in Musandam governorate, said: The Ministry of Tourism has additional attention to the preparation of comprehensive Omani Tourism Strategy 2016 - 2040. It has identified 14 areas of tourist complexes in various governorates of the Sultanate to be developed on priority basis. These priorities have been set in the form of a five-year plan keeping in view the importance of tourism elements in these areas and the level of their preparedness in terms of infrastructure.

“Musandam was selected under this plan along with other tourism areas supposed to be developed. The tourism development company Omran has submitted a study, a plan and a design of eight activities of adventure tourism projects in the mountain tracks.

On tourism facilities in the Musandam governorate, Al Dhahouri said that the Ministry of Tourism was providing more facilities whenever necessary after evaluating and analysing the general situation of tourism in the Sultanate. This tourism directorate represents the ministry to play this role in the governorate.

He said that the ministry attached huge importance to attracting investment through multiple promotional channels, particularly through international exhibitions, including in the market of the cruise ships visiting the Sultanate. It has doubled the added value as it resulted in the recovery of the local market and an increase in the number of tourists coming to the governorate in general.

Support to companies

Al Dhahouri said that the ministry gave lots of importance to the owners of cruise ships. It also held many meetings to understand the major challenges faced in the process of development of small and medium enterprises operating in the tourism sector. The meetings came out with certain recommendations. They include giving these enterprises opportunity to promote their tourism products in the pavilions of the Sultanate run by the ministry on rotation basis and coordination with the Musandam branch of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and tourism companies to provide kiosks to display their craft products along the port sidewalks.

The Musandam branch of the OCCI, in cooperation with the directorate of tourism of the governorate, has made efforts to contact public and private sector organisations for the purpose. It has resulted in 31 productive families directly benefitting from this influx of tourists in the governorate. There are many other segments of the society which have indirectly benefitted from this increased tourism activity.

About the preparedness of the directorate of tourism of Musandam for holidays and events, Al Dhahouri said: As in the case with all official holidays and vacations, the directorate gets ready in advance and coordinates with government and private agencies to do the follow up and evaluate the cleanliness of tourist sites and beaches, which attract tourists. It urges tourism companies to give competitive and quality offers as well as reductions on the room rents for Omani families coming to the governorate.

Tourist elements

The Musandam governorate is known for its sites and elements which attract tourists from different countries of the world. They include marine creeks, prominent of them are Najd, Shamm, Al-Hablain and Ghab Ali.

There are also diverse formations of coastal rocks, which attract tourists. Many islands are also scattered there such as Al-Teer and Telegraph islands, which are on top of the agenda of tourists.

The governorate is also known for its soft sand beaches. Of these beaches Qada and Mokhi, Bassa, Hyout and Hill are famous.

Among the most prominent natural tourism assets in the province are high mountains such as Mount Harem, which is the highest peak of the Musandam Mountains, as it reaches a height of about 2,087 meters. There agricultural plans of Musandam including Sahal also attract tourists particularly after rains.

The Musandam governorate has historic places which bear witness to the ancient time. They include forts, including Khasab fort, appreciated by tourists. The Ministry of Tourism treats them as historical museums. They show case different mountain and marine lives of the old age. Other major tourist destinations are Bakha fort, Al-Seeba fort, Quboor Saqta, Sabtan archeological area etc. WilayatMadha is known for its museum, which has 13,000 artefacts.

The diversity of the Musandam governorate’s terrain made it a place to attraction for the sports tourism such as hiking, mountain climbing, swimming, diving and canoeing. Tourists can also take cruises to see dolphins and various fish swarms. The beaches of the governorate are a suitable haven for recreation and camping.