Sunday 29 / September / 2024
Duqm: A new camping ground has been created on the beach in Duqm, for people to experience sun, sand and sea without the concern of crowds, which could potentially spread COVID-19.
The camping area, which is located on Duqm beach, provides spaces for people with mobile campervans to drive to Duqm for a break away from the city. It also features entertainment facilities for children, with electricity and water for visitors to use provided by camp management.
The camp was set up by the Special Economic Zone Authority of Duqm (SEZAD), in collaboration with local companies, and is located next to Park Inn Duqm.
“The Special Economic Zone of Duqm seeks to prepare tourist facilities in Duqm to be a haven for recreation and relaxation for the residents and visitors of Duqm,” said SEZAD in a statement. “It has developed as part of its upcoming plans, a walkway for those wishing to take a walk on the coast of Duqm, which will be built in collaboration with companies operating in the region.
SEZAD added, “The organisation has made part of its plans for the near future, preparation and readiness of facilities that will meet the needs of residents and visitors to Duqm. This is a camp site that was prepared last week.”
Additional tourism investment projects are underway at Duqm, with some projects already under construction by private sector companies, while others are still in the planning and design phase.
“The site was particularly prepared as a place dedicated to those who love caravanning as a hobby, and also allows for renting of these vehicles for a small fee, which goes towards using the site’s facilities,” added the authority. “We welcome the owners of small and medium enterprises to work on this project. Plans are already accordingly in place.”
Additionally, water that is used by campervans will be treated, with the recycled water used for afforestation efforts in the surrounding areas. Major services required by mobile home owners are also available on-site, in addition to toilets and a designated waste disposal area.
Duqm has been earmarked as the city which will base many economic activities that are being set up as part of Oman’s push to diversify its economy and gain more revenue from non-oil sources of income.
Among the areas targeted under this economic expansion – under the country’s Tanfeedh plans – are agriculture and fisheries, mining and energy, logistics and transportation, manufacturing, and tourism.
The beachfront in Duqm has been earmarked as property for tourism development, with many hotels and leisure amenities already set up there, and more expected to come in future.
While tourist development continues to get underway in Duqm, officials from the Ministry of Health recently visited the Wusta governorate to inspect the healthcare measures available to treat those showing symptoms of COVID-19.
“A field visit was undertaken by officials from the Ministry of Health to the Special Economic Zone of Duqm to check the readiness of the health clinic at the customs headquarters in Duqm port,” added SEZAD.
“The buildings consist of an emergency department, patient admission rooms, a pharmacy, treatment and examination rooms, waiting and meeting rooms, and other service facilities.”
The inspection team was led by Dr Ibrahim bin Hilal Al Mahrouqi, the acting director general of health services at the Directorate General of Health Services in Al Wusta Governorate.
