Thursday 25 / April / 2024
Muscat: With the advent of the camping season, the Dhofar Municipality has urged visitors coming to Salalah to keep the environment clean.
“People, who are found littering campsites in Dhofar, will be fined,” Abdullah Sabah, director of the Camps Supervising Committee of the Dhofar Municipality said.
He added that if the committee officials spot a motorist throwing garbage, they will report the car’s number plate to the Royal Oman Police (ROP).
From June 21 till August 31, tourists from different parts of the world flock to the southern city to enjoy its greenery and foggy beaches.
However, many campers have been seen carelessly littering the city’s major tourist attractions.
According to Sabah, tourists are not allowed to camp outside designated campsites.
“It is a violation of the law to bring your own tent and camp without permission,” he noted, adding that this could lead to a fine and the confiscation of the tent.
According to the law, campers are not allowed to disturb neighbouring camps by making loud noises, putting on bright lights or with their bad behaviour.
Bachelors are also not allowed to camp in family campsites, Sabah explained.
He said wastebaskets have been installed at every tourist attraction and committee officials provide bags to campers for their trash.
The municipality had announced the beginning of the camping season on Monday.
It is worth mentioning that more Asian nationals visit Salalah than Omanis, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
Citing data provided by the NCSI, around 58,867 tourists had visited the southern city until Saturday, July 9.
Breaking down the figure, 23,636 visitors were of Asian nationality, compared with 20,909 Omanis.
Emirati citizens topped the number of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) tourists at 5,628, compared with 2,179 Saudis.
Around 482 Qataris, 512 Kuwaitis, 566 Bahrainis and 4,041 other Arabs visited Salalah during the same period.
About 349 people from a diverse group of nations have also travelled to Salalah since June 20 according to available data.
