15 historical landmarks managed by local companies: Tourism Ministry
Published: 12:10 PM,Oct 17,2023 | EDITED : 04:10 PM,Oct 17,2023
Muscat: The number of heritage sites that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has assigned to private local companies to manage and harness their advantages as tourist destinations reached 15 historical landmarks.
This step comes within the framework of the Ministry’s strategy that aims at employing cultural heritage and enhancing its contribution to economic growth, activating and strengthening community partnership.
It also aims at sustain the national heritage and legacy, enhancing the heritage sector’s contribution to the economic activities , and increasing the sources of tourist attractions and their diversity, while the number of visitors to heritage sites in the Sultanate of Oman by the end of September 2023 reached to about (80,317) thousand visitors.
Zayana bint Muhammad Al-Harrasiyah, Head of the Rehabilitation and Development Department for Historical Sites at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said : “ The companies and establishments which are operating heritage sites always seek to develop and improve the tourism experiences associated with the site, that leads to enrich the visitor cognitively, touristic wise , and recreationally wise , and thus this will strengthen the attractions capabilities of the tourism product in general .
She clarified that the value added of the sector contributes to enriching tourism through projects of local value added that benefit the local community, by providing direct and indirect job opportunities by empowering the private sector, small and medium enterprises, involving productive families in the society and creating marketing outlets for craftsmen, as well as organizing events and activities throughout the year, and involving the artists in all fields that related to their specialties.
The head of the Department of Rehabilitation and Development of Historical Sites added: that managing and harnessing the advantages of heritage sites will contribute to maximizing tourism benefits from historical monuments tourism-wise, economically, socially and culturally, as well as strengthening the cultural interaction of the local community that is surrounding the monument to highlight and promote it, that will contribute to enhance the aspects of sustainability and the permanence of preserving all cultural legacies as competitive advantages that makes it a qualitative leap and attractive tourist destination, while the reviving of these sites through their operation is considered as a preservation for these sites and preventing them against extinction and neglecting, as well as ensuring their sustainability, preservation and protection.
She pointed out that, in addition to the provided incentives for the local companies and enterprises including a grace period of three years for renting, there are a number of standards, criteria and requirements that the investor (operator) of cultural heritage sites must adhere to, including the consideration of the cultural heritage site as a symbol, historical and sovereign significance that must be preserved, while the components of the concerned site, its components and divisions are being used as a historical landmark that highlighting the history of the landmark, the Wilayat and the concern Governorate, where permits and licenses must be obtained within their deadlines from the competent authorities such as the municipality, the Royal Oman Police and other competent authorities.
She stressed that; the investor must also review all the details through the relevant department of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.
Zayana Al-Harrasiya also clarified that, the Ministry is exerting its efforts to ensure the optimal operation of the sites through periodic follow-up by specialists from the Ministry to ensure the progress of work and implementation in accordance with the agreed upon plan and the vision presented by the company, its (time program) and the annual program of events.
It is worth noting that among the most important heritage sites whose managing and employment have been entrusted to companies and establishments are : Nizwa Fort in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah, Jabreen Castle at the Wilayat of Bahla in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah, Muttrah Fort in the Governorate of Muscat , Koot Bait Al Askar at the Wilayat of Taqah in the Governorate of Dhofar , the waterfront shops of the archaeological site of Al Baleed Cafés at the Wilayat of Salalah , Nakhal Fort in the Governorate of Al Batinah South, the Wadi Dawka Reserve at the Wilayat of Thumrait in the Governorate of Dhofar , Al Khamis Wall and Tower in the Governorate of Al Batinah South, Koot Hamran in the Governorate of Dhofar, the Rakhyut Fort in the Governorate of Dhofar, Beit Al Rudaydah Fort in the Governorate of Dakhiliyah, Bahla Fort in the Governorate of Dakhiliyah and Al Khaboura Fort. In the North Al Batinah Governorate, Al Mirani Fort in the Governorate of Muscat, and Liwa Fort in the Governorate of Al Batinah North.
For his part, Mohammad bin Ahmed bin Sawakhroun, an investor in (Al-Askar Tower) in the Governorate of Dhofar , said : The experience of investing in heritage sites is unique in its kind because of its special character. Though we have faced some challenges in the beginning, including the scarcity of historical information about the site, since it is the first project to be invested in a historical building in the Governorate of Dhofar , but in general it is a unique experience as it is the first experience for us.
He pointed out that, the value added of this investment including the providing of new job opportunities for young cadres, the establishing of a craft village for 15 craftswomen, and the revitalization of tourism activity in the Willet of Taqah.
He added that, he is working to invest in these sites to preserve and help to sustain them, as periodic maintenance and revitalization are carried out, while preserving the authenticity and urban heritage of the site, which contributes to benefiting from them tourism wise and maintaining their sustainability.
He pointed out that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism provided them with a number of facilities and incentives, including offering a grace period for rent, including the site among the tourism programs, and hosting social media influencers, and addressing other parties to provide us with what we need.
Abdullah bin Mohammad Al-Harthi, partner and founder of the company investing in Jabreen Castel in the Wilayat of Bahla, said: The investment experience is a wonderful and beautiful experience, as the company is one of the first companies to sign a contract to invest in historical sites directly with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, while it has overcome many challenges in its field.
He added that the efficiency of the site has been raised and it has been made available for visiting with all its facilities from many aspects, such as maintenance, enhancing security and safety, and employing competencies and expertise to make the landmark visible in an ideal way.
He also clarified that , development plans have been set to improve the site capabilities in order to be most attractive site in the historical, archaeological and tourism fields, while the local community has been widely and greatly involved, that contributes to make the site sustainable and a renewed environment in all fields.
He pointed out that, the sustainability includes the continuous and scheduled maintenance and work in accordance with the site’s environment in several aspects, such as using tools and devices that appropriate for the concern site , and partnering with supervisory and private entities to gain high results in the professionalism of the maintenance and sustainability of the concern site..
This step comes within the framework of the Ministry’s strategy that aims at employing cultural heritage and enhancing its contribution to economic growth, activating and strengthening community partnership.
It also aims at sustain the national heritage and legacy, enhancing the heritage sector’s contribution to the economic activities , and increasing the sources of tourist attractions and their diversity, while the number of visitors to heritage sites in the Sultanate of Oman by the end of September 2023 reached to about (80,317) thousand visitors.
Zayana bint Muhammad Al-Harrasiyah, Head of the Rehabilitation and Development Department for Historical Sites at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said : “ The companies and establishments which are operating heritage sites always seek to develop and improve the tourism experiences associated with the site, that leads to enrich the visitor cognitively, touristic wise , and recreationally wise , and thus this will strengthen the attractions capabilities of the tourism product in general .
She clarified that the value added of the sector contributes to enriching tourism through projects of local value added that benefit the local community, by providing direct and indirect job opportunities by empowering the private sector, small and medium enterprises, involving productive families in the society and creating marketing outlets for craftsmen, as well as organizing events and activities throughout the year, and involving the artists in all fields that related to their specialties.
The head of the Department of Rehabilitation and Development of Historical Sites added: that managing and harnessing the advantages of heritage sites will contribute to maximizing tourism benefits from historical monuments tourism-wise, economically, socially and culturally, as well as strengthening the cultural interaction of the local community that is surrounding the monument to highlight and promote it, that will contribute to enhance the aspects of sustainability and the permanence of preserving all cultural legacies as competitive advantages that makes it a qualitative leap and attractive tourist destination, while the reviving of these sites through their operation is considered as a preservation for these sites and preventing them against extinction and neglecting, as well as ensuring their sustainability, preservation and protection.
She pointed out that, in addition to the provided incentives for the local companies and enterprises including a grace period of three years for renting, there are a number of standards, criteria and requirements that the investor (operator) of cultural heritage sites must adhere to, including the consideration of the cultural heritage site as a symbol, historical and sovereign significance that must be preserved, while the components of the concerned site, its components and divisions are being used as a historical landmark that highlighting the history of the landmark, the Wilayat and the concern Governorate, where permits and licenses must be obtained within their deadlines from the competent authorities such as the municipality, the Royal Oman Police and other competent authorities.
She stressed that; the investor must also review all the details through the relevant department of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.
Zayana Al-Harrasiya also clarified that, the Ministry is exerting its efforts to ensure the optimal operation of the sites through periodic follow-up by specialists from the Ministry to ensure the progress of work and implementation in accordance with the agreed upon plan and the vision presented by the company, its (time program) and the annual program of events.
It is worth noting that among the most important heritage sites whose managing and employment have been entrusted to companies and establishments are : Nizwa Fort in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah, Jabreen Castle at the Wilayat of Bahla in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah, Muttrah Fort in the Governorate of Muscat , Koot Bait Al Askar at the Wilayat of Taqah in the Governorate of Dhofar , the waterfront shops of the archaeological site of Al Baleed Cafés at the Wilayat of Salalah , Nakhal Fort in the Governorate of Al Batinah South, the Wadi Dawka Reserve at the Wilayat of Thumrait in the Governorate of Dhofar , Al Khamis Wall and Tower in the Governorate of Al Batinah South, Koot Hamran in the Governorate of Dhofar, the Rakhyut Fort in the Governorate of Dhofar, Beit Al Rudaydah Fort in the Governorate of Dakhiliyah, Bahla Fort in the Governorate of Dakhiliyah and Al Khaboura Fort. In the North Al Batinah Governorate, Al Mirani Fort in the Governorate of Muscat, and Liwa Fort in the Governorate of Al Batinah North.
For his part, Mohammad bin Ahmed bin Sawakhroun, an investor in (Al-Askar Tower) in the Governorate of Dhofar , said : The experience of investing in heritage sites is unique in its kind because of its special character. Though we have faced some challenges in the beginning, including the scarcity of historical information about the site, since it is the first project to be invested in a historical building in the Governorate of Dhofar , but in general it is a unique experience as it is the first experience for us.
He pointed out that, the value added of this investment including the providing of new job opportunities for young cadres, the establishing of a craft village for 15 craftswomen, and the revitalization of tourism activity in the Willet of Taqah.
He added that, he is working to invest in these sites to preserve and help to sustain them, as periodic maintenance and revitalization are carried out, while preserving the authenticity and urban heritage of the site, which contributes to benefiting from them tourism wise and maintaining their sustainability.
He pointed out that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism provided them with a number of facilities and incentives, including offering a grace period for rent, including the site among the tourism programs, and hosting social media influencers, and addressing other parties to provide us with what we need.
Abdullah bin Mohammad Al-Harthi, partner and founder of the company investing in Jabreen Castel in the Wilayat of Bahla, said: The investment experience is a wonderful and beautiful experience, as the company is one of the first companies to sign a contract to invest in historical sites directly with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, while it has overcome many challenges in its field.
He added that the efficiency of the site has been raised and it has been made available for visiting with all its facilities from many aspects, such as maintenance, enhancing security and safety, and employing competencies and expertise to make the landmark visible in an ideal way.
He also clarified that , development plans have been set to improve the site capabilities in order to be most attractive site in the historical, archaeological and tourism fields, while the local community has been widely and greatly involved, that contributes to make the site sustainable and a renewed environment in all fields.
He pointed out that, the sustainability includes the continuous and scheduled maintenance and work in accordance with the site’s environment in several aspects, such as using tools and devices that appropriate for the concern site , and partnering with supervisory and private entities to gain high results in the professionalism of the maintenance and sustainability of the concern site..