Huge influx of tourists at various destinations during Eid holidays

Oman Monday 10/June/2019 21:38 PM
By: Times News Service
Huge influx of tourists at various destinations during Eid holidays

Muscat: There was huge influx of tourists at a number of destinations of the Sultanate of Oman during Eid Al Fitr holidays. Tourists enjoyed natural elements of the country and saw its heritage in a family atmosphere. In view of this massive turn out of tourists, tourism departments of various governorates of the Sultanate have organised a number of entertainment and recreational activities during Eid Al Fitr holidays for the local populations and the visitors.
There were 11,241 tourists visited Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar or the Green Mountains in Al-Dakhliyah governorate during the Eid Al-Fitr holidays. Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar is one of the most important tourist destinations of the Sultanate in all seasons in a year because of its natural elements. Similarly, all other sites of attractions in Al Dakiliyah also saw an active tourist flow. Tourists also visited Misfah Al Ebreen and Jebel Shams, as well as other tourist destinations of the governorate.
In Al Dakhiliyah governorate, there was massive influx of tourists to the cold areas such as Al Jabal Al Shams and the villages in its surroundings. The tourists have come here to enjoy the moderate weather for which some of the sites of the governorate is generally known during summer. During these Eid Al Fitr holidays, the occupancy level of hotels have also seen to be increased.
In addition to this, the Tourism Department of Al Dakhiliyah governorate, in cooperation with others organisations, also organized the celebrations of Eid Al Fitr in sports centre of the Lulu Hypermart in Nizwa. These celebrations included many recreational activities.
Shurfat Al-Alamein Hotel, in cooperation with the Tourism Department of Al-Dakhliyah governorate also organized a number of activities during Eid Al-Fitr holiday including competitions, children's sports, independent camps and entertainment.
The Directorate General of Tourism of Dhofar governorate also organised Eid Al Fitr celebrations at the Grand Mall of Salalah. These celebrations had a number of diverse types of activities.
Musandam governorate had a huge tourism activity. The total number of tourists who reached to Khasab and Dibba ports was 5,923. The governorate also received the Indian tourist ship Karina. This cruise ship has come to the Sultanate for the first time to be followed by 15 other ships during summer. This was for the first time that a number of tourist cruise ships were visiting the Sultanate outside their season. This increase in the visits of the tourist ships was being seen as a positive development. It shows growth in the movement of tourist ships and an extension beyond winter tourist season.
This increase in tourism in the governorate led to higher occupancy rates of its hotels. The occupancy at Khasab hotel was 100 percent, in Atana Musanda and Atana Khasab it was 90 percent. The Diwan Al Ameer and Al Buhaiah hotels had occupancy of 65 percent and 78 percent respectively. Atlal Diba hotel had 50 percent and the Dibba Beach Resort had occupancy rate of 57%. The governorate also saw the influx of tourists from the United Arab Emirates who had come here using the tourist visa system application in the guarantees and sponsorships of individuals or tourist groups.
Musandam governorate is a major tourist destination throughout the year, due to its various types of elements and attractions.
The number of tourists who visited water ponds in Wilayat Bani Khalid in North Al Sharqiyah governorate reached to 8,552 during Eid Al Fitr holidays. These tourists were from various nationalities who had come here from abroad and within the Sultanate. On Thursday and Friday, there was huge rush at the water ponds. During these two days, the number of tourists reached to 3,413 and 2,171 respectively.
The damage to the water ponds in Wilayat Wadi Bani Khalid caused by recent rains and flowing of wadis has been repaired. These water ponds have been restored to receive tourists in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and other governmental organisations.
The occupancy rates in hotels, hotel apartments and tourist camps increased during Eid al-Fitr. Various wilayats of the governorate also saw huge influx of tourist. They visited various tourist destinations to enjoy wadis and natural public parks.
This massive influx of tourists during Eid Al Fitr holidays was due to diverse tourism elements for which the governorate is known. It has deserts, mountains and marine environments which attract tourists. The scientific centre in the turtle reserve of Ras Al Jinz at Ras Al Hadd and sands of beautiful beaches are also major attractions. The Wadi Al Shab and Wadi Tiwi also saw large number of tourists. This was also due to the close proximity of the governorate from Muscat from where it is easy for tourists to reach there and enjoy its environments.
The number of hotel establishments there reached to 55 with total 1,350 rooms. The occupancy rates was very high during the Eid Al Fitr holidays. It shows that the governorate was of special tourist interest.
In cooperation with the Omani Women Association, the department of tourism of the governorate organised some recreational activities as Eid celebrations in wilayat Masirah’s marine park. These activities were participated by the equestrian club which showcased horses at Nama beach. There were also a number of other activities which were organised to enrich domestic tourism and provide recreational entertainment avenue to the local population and the tourists.
The number of visitors of the Science Centre of Ras Al-Ganz at Ras Al Hadd of Wilayat Sur reached to 1,500 during Eid Al Fitr holidays. They were from various nationalities. During their visit, the tourists saw various elements including turtles and enjoyed the natural environment of the place. They learnt that the turtles nest on the beach and enjoyed the moderate weather of Ras Al Hadd. A number of tours for visitors were also organised in the Scientific Museum which stores all information about the turtles, their life, age and types.
They had the opportunity to see the young turtles collected in dedicated ponds to protect them from any threats and return them back to the shores in the dark.
The turtle reserve is one of the major attractions of tourism coming from many countries of the world. They come here to see all types of turtles nesting in the reserve. They spent their time in calm and quite environs throughout the year due to its moderate weather.
A number of visitors recorded their appreciation for the reserve, its facilities, environment and quality services given by tour guides and the method of turtle conservation.
The cold destinations of Al Dakhiliyah governorate, such as Jabal Shams and surrounding villages, had massive influx of tourists who have come here to enjoy the moderate weather. The governorate has certain sites which are major attraction during summer. The hotels here also ahd increased level of occupancy.
The Tourism Department of Al Dakhiliyah governorate also organized the Eid celebrations at the Lulu Hyper Market in Nizwa, which included many entertainment activities.
Shurfat Al-Alamein Hotel also organized a festival during Eid Al-Fitr holiday in cooperation with the Tourism Department of the governorate.
The festival included competitions, children's sports, free camps and entertainment shows.
The Directorate General of Tourism in the Dhofar governorate organized the joy of Eid event at the Grand Mall of Salalah.
The Tourism Department organised Eid Al-Fitr entertainment activities, in cooperation with Al-Ainain Sports and Cultural Group.
They included heritage shows, an exhibition of productive families and various entertainment shows.