Over 19,000 visit Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve

Muscat: The total number of visitors that visited the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve in 2019 so far, is 19,585; including 2,753 Omanis and 16,832 expats, according to data released by the Directorate General of Planning and as per information from the Ministry of Tourism (MoT).
Statistics released show that there has been a steady monthly rise in the number of visitors, from 3,778 in January to 4,081 in July.
The Director of Tourism at South Al Sharqiyah Governorate, Saud bin Hamad Al Alawi, said that there has been a big turn out of visitors from different wilayats of the governorate, and local and international tourists, thanks to the breath-taking and varied destinations, and world-class tourism services and products offered by their high quality tourism and hospitality facilities.
“The Governorate of South Al Sharqiyah hosts 59 tourism and hotel facilities that offer upto 1,322 hotel rooms with a capacity of 2,073 people. In the Wilayat of Sur, there are 35 hotel facilities that provide 977 hotel rooms. While Ras al Hadd hosts 7 hotel facilities provide 123 hotel rooms, Ras Al Jinz hosts three hotel facilities that offer 34 hotel rooms.
“At the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, there are a total of 12 hotel facilities that offer 143 hotel rooms, at the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan there are two hotel facilities that offer 31 hotel rooms, and at the Wilayat of al Kamel Wa al Wafi, there are three hotels.
“The Governorate of South Al Sharqiyah has varied tourist destinations such as coasts, high mountains, valleys, and is an exceptional destination for adventure, nature and water-sports lovers. Furthermore, it provides the best choice for a wide range of activities; such as fishing, camping, walking, hiking, and turtles watching”, Al Alawi said.
Sales Dept Manager at Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran), Ahmad al Hasri, said that the occupancy rate at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve was, up to last June, at 70 per cent. A majority of visitors were Europeans; while the occupancy rate during Eid al Adha holidays was more than 95 per cent.
“The Turtle Reserve hosts many activities; including turtle watching, visiting the museum and exploring the local traditions and heritage. So, the hotel facilities have witnessed a big turn out; as the occupancy rate at Masirah Island Resort amounted to 60 per cent throughout the period from Jan to June 2019, while it reached 100 per cent during the Eid holiday.
Prior to Eid al Adha, the Atana Stay at Al Ashkharah recorded an occupancy rate of 90 per cent. Both Omanis and expats represented the majority of guests who enjoyed the varied activities and the natural beauty,” Al Hasri said.