Ministry of Tourism lines up events across Oman for Eid visitors

Energy Saturday 18/August/2018 21:06 PM
By: Times News Service
Ministry of Tourism lines up events across Oman for Eid visitors

Muscat: A number of tourist, cultural and heritage events have been lined up by the Ministry of Tourism across the Sultanate during the Eid Al Adha holidays.
These events include a heritage and cultural tourism festival in the North Al Batinah and Al Dhahirah, recreational activities for children in the Governorate of North Al Sharqiyah, and folklore arts and traditional games in the Wilayat of Ja’alan in the Governorate of South A’Sharqiyah.
Also planned are a horse show in the Wilayat of Sur in the Governorate of South Al Sharqiyah, Eid Joy in the Governorate of Musandam, Eid Al Adha activities in the Governorates of Dhofar, South Al Batinah, and North Al Sharqiyah, in addition to “Welcome Eid” in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah.
On the second day of the festival, the Silver Jubilee Park at the Sohar Recreation Centre in the North Batinah governorate will host a cultural heritage festival from 4pm to 9pm.
Al Dakhiliya governorate will have an event, “Ahlan bil Eid” (Welcome Eid), between the second and fourth days of the festival at Izki Public Garden. Similarly, on the second and third days of Eid Al Adha, Rustaq in South Al Bathina will host a number of events.
Various activities will also take place in Salalah, Dhofar governorate, from the second to the fourth day of Eid.
The town of Duraiz in wilayat Abri in Al Dhahira governorate will organise a heritage tourism festival on the second day of Eid.
On the third day of Eid, there will be events at the Khasab Cultural and Sports Club in Musandam governorate.
Events of the “Joy of Eid” will be held in North Al Sharqiyah governorate on the equestrian ground of Al Yahmadi in wilayat Ibra. There will also be recreational activities at the Lulu Centre of Ibra.
The Ministry of Tourism has also decided on the dates for visitors to visit the forts during the Eid Al Adha holidays.
The Sultanate is a unique tourist destination due to its diverse elements, including exceptional weather during this time of the year, beautiful nature and heritage aspects, which are considered ideal during the Eid Al Adha holidays.
There are many places, which offer enormous tourist attractions at this time of the year, particularly in the Dhofar governorate. The mountains resemble a fertile crescent, which descends to become a flat plain and embraces sandy beaches stretching hundreds of kilometres. During this season, the temperature in Dhofar is around 25°C, when it is 45°C in most parts of the Arabian Peninsula during summer.
In addition to this, Dhofar has many archaeological and heritage assets such as the archaeological site of Bleed, which was one of the oldest cities in the world and the most important commercial ports flourished in the 12th and 16th centuries. There are other parts of the city with massive historical significance in Al Haffa.
There is also the tomb of the Prophet Houd, which is locally believed to be between the mountains, wadis and water springs called “Hieriya fountain” and “Afilia fountain” and “Etham fountain”, all of which pass to reach the wadi where the tomb of the prophet is located.
The city of Samahram and its famous port, dating back to the first millennium BC, was the link between Dhofar and the outside world. This is part of the frankincense road, which tells the tale of the civilisation in Dhofar. It is famously said that the area where the Omani frankincense was loaded to reach the Queen of Sheba or Balqis was at the port of Samahram.
Among the Omani tourist destinations, which have exceptionally cool weather at this time of the year are Jabal Akhdar. It is one of the highest points in the Arab world. Jabal Akhdar is also an ideal destination for enthusiasts of adventure.
The wadis of wilayat Wadi Bani Khalid in the North Sharqiyah governorate are some of the Omani wadis, which run throughout the year, as water flows through narrow corridors on the southern side of the eastern Hajar Mountains.
In Wadi Bani Khalid, there is the archaeological village of Al Owaina. It has a number of monuments, including the Mosque of Owaina; its mehrab is considered as an antique masterpiece of archeology. There is also a famous fort in the village of Owaina. The fort was the centre of walis and judges once upon a time.
The Sultanate is also one of the most famous destinations in the region for diving. The most important diving areas around the capital are Muscat, Al-Khairan, Al Fahl Island, Daymaniyat Island, Al Qabra Bay (Old Muscat) and Al Jissah Beach. Each of these places has at least 11 different diving sites, each with its own diversity.
Marine activities also include watching dolphins from afar. There are 20 species of Omani whales and dolphins in the area.
As for ecotourism, Ras Al Hadd in the Wilayat Sur is a special destination for those who want to see turtles and enjoy tranquility and nature in the first spot in the Arab world where the sun rises.
This coastal region, which is some 46km from the wilayat Sur in South Sharqiyah governorate, has an attractive natural environment and a unique recreational resort as its tourist elements. It has clean beaches intertwined with the splendour of the topography of the place.
Tourists can enjoy spending their time visiting the clean and pristine beaches of Muscat, visiting fortresses, which tell the stories of hundreds of years of civilisation.