Sunday 15 / December / 2024
Salalah: The archaeological sites in the Sultanate of Oman have an additional pull factor for visitors concerned with cultural and heritage tourism.
Dhofar Governorate witnesses increasing attention and care from the government departments throughout the year.
Heritage tourism has been receiving a lot of attention from local as well as foreign tourists. The heritage sites are a source of curiosity for tourists who explore the contents and secrets of the archaeological sites in the wilayats of Dhofar Governorate.
The heritage sites including the forts, castles, old souqs and houses provide the researchers with the opportunity to study the traditional style of building in the Wilayats of Dhofar.
It also gives them an opportunity to explore the history of the reserves and sites of Samharam, Al Baleed, Shasar, Khour Rori, Wadi Doka and Khour Kharfout and others.
Increasing the returns of the heritage sites in Dhofar Governorate falls within the tourism strategy of Dhofar in particular and the Sultanate’s tourism strategy in general and targets citizens, residents, college and university students, archaeologists, and tourists concerned with the field.
Economic analyst and writer Khalfan Al Toqi said that heritage tourism is taken care of in many countries due to the role it plays in increasing the revenues of the country and in employment of the youth.
He said that the Sultanate of Oman has the tourism potential and natural resources including wadis, mountains, clean beaches and topography besides its deep-rooted customs and traditions , rich heritage and many archaeological evidences such as the old forts, castles and towers and the Omani hospitality.
Dr. Salimbin Suhail Al Kathri, a media person concerned with heritage tourism, said that the history, culture and the beauty of the nature in Dhofar Governorate enhance heritage tourism in the governorate and showcase it as a unique tourism destination.
Dhofar is famous for its heritage sites that tell its deep-rooted history and old civilization, he added.
Dr. Mohammed bin Awadh Al Meshaikhi, said that the heritage sites play a key role in terms of economic tourism.
He also pointed to the importance of development of the archaeological map and considering it as part of the priorities of the various government departments and private sector in the Sultanate of Oman.
Social researcher concerned with communication, Mubarak bin Salim Al Mashni, said that we can always use tourism as a way for making the world see us in a better way and for providing the world with an amazing image of Oman and its past and present.-----ONA
