Friday 19 / April / 2024
Khasab: Oman occupies a prominent position on the global tourist map, which is improving year after year.
The Sultanate has also proved the strength of its status as a tourism destination growing at a steady pace by competing with other major countries that preceded it in this field.
Oman has solid tourism potential due to its diverse geological regions, including vast deserts, flat plains, deep valleys “wadis,” towering mountains, stretching coasts and beaches, the multiplicity of customs of its people and their practices and traditions, the spread of its strongholds, castles and towers in various governorates, which list historical stories through the ages and times.
The Governorate of Musandam has a diverse geographical nature, combining high mountains, deep sea waters and rocky coasts, which formed along its coastline a series of beautiful waterways with different lengths, widths, zigzagging courses, islands in various shapes, sizes and locations.
Among the rocky and sandy beaches in the governorate are Bassa and Hayout in the Wilayat of Khasab, Hal, Tabib and A’Sifa and A’Tawila in the Wilayat of Bukha, A’Soot, Zaghi and ASahma in the Wilayat of Diba. Between the fertile oases across the mountain peaks and valleys, forming beautiful green parks, such as the parks in Al Khalidiyah, A’Si, A’Sahasih and Al Rawdha in the Wilayat of Khasab, Aflaj “ancient irrigation system or water channels” and fresh water, permanent and seasonal springs, such as A’Si, Al Mahal, Al Mahas, Al Rihaiba, Wadi Khin in the Wilayat of Khasab, A’Thuwara Spring and Low Spring in the Wilayat of Bukha, A’Sakta Sprting in the Wilayat of Diba, Al A’thid Falaj, Al Mu’taridh Falaj, Al Shiriki Falaj, A’Daier Falaj, Hajar Bani Humaid Falaj in the Wilayat of Madha.
Moosa bin Issa Al Riyami, advisor for Human Resources Development and acting director for Tourism Administration in the Governorate of Musandam said that the Governorate of Musandam, located in the far north of the Sultanate, has a unique tourist location, and unique tourism potential that make it one of the most important tourism destinations in the region.
Among the tourist attractions in the governorate is “Jebel Harim,” which is one of the most famous mountains in the governorate. It is located in the Wilayat of Khasab. It is 1,600 metres above the sea level, with its highest peak located 2,087 metres above sea level. The mountain is characterised by fossils of fish and shellfish and other marine fossils, dating back to about 250 million years.
There are many islands in the governorate. These are mostly rocky islands of considerable height. Among these islands are Umm Al Ghanam island, Salamah Island, Al Khail Island, Musandam Island, Umm A’Tair Island, Al Telegraf Island, Umm Fayarin Island, A’Sawda Island and the Abu Mukhalif Island. Each of these islands has its own unique features.
Umm A’Tair, located in the eastern part of the governorate, is a natural reserve for birds, especially the Sterna birds. The island is included in nature reserves under the report of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 1986.
It is also called the island of eggs for the large number of migratory birds.
Al-Riyami added that one of the most famous islands in the governorate is Maqlab Island, known as Al Telegraph Island, located in Khour Sham in the Wilayat of Khasab. It is considered an important station for those wanting to tour the creek.
In Khasab, there are many historical and archaeological monuments, notably the Khasab Fort, Al Kamzarah Fort, A’Siba Fort and the Kabs Al Qasr Fort. In the Wilayat of Bukha, there is the Al Bilad Fort, the Bukha Fort, the Al Qal’aah Fort, and the Al Jam’ea Archaeological Mosque, the Al Muraba’a Fort, Burj Al Qasha and Al Jadah Ruins in Ghumdha Village.
In the Wilayat of Diba, there is the Diba Fort and the Al Ghazayer Fort, a historical cemetery called the Amir Al Jaish Cemetery, the site of the newly discovered Archaeological Saih Al Deer in Al Gharabiya in 2012, where about 4,000 different antiquities have been collected so far and are currently on display at the National Museum in Muscat.
In the Wilayat of Madha, rock inscriptions abound in several different locations. They are in the form of drawings and writings dating back to the pre-Islamic period, archaeological sites dating back to the Iron Age named Makhazin Al Jahl. There are also several historical towers in Al Andhar, Al Ghona and Hajar Bani Humaid, in addition to the Mohammed bin Salim Al Madhani Museum, which contains many ancient coins, antiques, books, antiques and collectibles.
Moosa bin Issa al-Riyami said the Khasab Fort is one of the most important historical and tourist attractions in the Governorate of Musandam, with its unique location overlooking the coastal road. The fort was built in the 17th century. The Ministry of Heritage and Culture carried out restoration work for the fort in 1990.
Commenting on the enhancement of tourist services in the governorate, Al-Riyami explained that the Ministry of Tourism is setting the Governorate of Musandam as one of its priorities in the development of sustainable tourism, in coordination with the Office of the Comprehensive Strategy for Economic Development and Comprehensive Plan for the Governorate of Musandam 2040, with the help of partners in the private sector.
He added that and there are future plans for tourism development in various wilayats of the governorate. The competent authorities in the ministry are currently considering the introduction of a number of tourism land plots for tourism investment in various wilayats, in addition to the preparation of a general tourist plan for the Governorate of Musandam within the framework of the Omani Strategy for Tourism 2040.
