More than 50,000 visitors have been to Sur Al Hadid Beach Carnival in Muscat, according to Muscat Municipality.
A statement by the municipality said that “more than 90 SMEs took part in the carnival, which came through shared efforts from Muscat Municipality and the Ministry of Tourism, as well as Omran.”
The Municipality added, “Harnessing beaches for open and diverse activities is one of the most important principals of modern urban planning. It focuses on making public and open areas in cities like a breath of fresh air, which involves healthy and active events focusing on the residents of these cities.”
One visitor said, “It reminded of the old souqs that we used to visit in the olden days, so I see this as a revival of culture and heritage but with a new flavour.”
An expat visitor added, “I like the idea of the carnival. It makes the country more popular and it shows that the country is growing, developing, and getting modernized.”
A teenager added that she hoped these events don’t stop. “It’s not just for one group or demography. These are for children and also for adults as well.”
The carnival involved music, games, as well as sports competitions including a volleyball tournament which was won 2-0 by Team Al Husoon (Forts). The tournament, according to the municipality, was overseen by Al Seeb Sports Club.
The carnival was easy to visit through public transportation. According to Mwasalat, Eng. Mohsen bin Mohammed Al Sheikh, Chairman of Muscat Municipality and Hamad bin Sulaiman Al Gharibi, Undersecretary for Regional Municipality Affairs at the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources used Mwasalat buses while visiting the carnival.
This carnival is the first beach carnival to take place in the Sultanate.