Al Dakhiliyah Governorate sees 32.94 percent surge in tourists

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate said the number of visitors to landmarks such as castles, forts, and other tourist sites increased by 32.94 percent to 415,081 in 2024 from 312,243 in 2023.

Of these, visitors to Al Hoota Cave were 39,981.

Ahlam bint Hamad al Qasabi, Director of the Heritage and Tourism Department in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, said that the number of hotel facilities in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate is 158 by the end of 2024, represented by hotels, camps, hotel apartments, rest houses, guest houses, heritage inns, and green inns), providing about (2636) rooms.

Al Dakhiliyah Governorate is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Sultanate of Oman due to its geographical diversity and heritage sites.

The governorate includes towering mountains such as Jebel Shams, and Jebel Akhdar, known for its moderate summer weather and beautiful farms that give the region a distinctive character.

It is also famous for its heritage sites, including castles and forts, in addition to old neighborhoods such as Harat Al Aqar and Harat Al Ain, which have undergone development projects that have transformed them into distinct tourist destinations. This has contributed to highlighting their heritage value and their role in enhancing the governorate's tourism appeal. In addition, the governorate is home to exceptional sites such as Misfat Al Abriyeen, a heritage village that attracts visitors with its traditional design and charming atmosphere. This diversity between stunning nature and heritage sites has made Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate an ideal destination for tourists from all over the world, where they can enjoy an experience that combines authenticity and nature.

Al Qasabi explained that the number of castles and forts in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate is 63, with four of them (Nizwa Fort, Jabreen Fort, Bahla Fort, and Bait Al Radidah Fort) managed by investors while Samayil Fort was recently offered for investment by the private sector. Investment in historical landmarks comes within the framework of the Ministry’s efforts to employ cultural heritage, ensure its sustainability, and maximize the benefit by providing direct and indirect job opportunities, empowering the private sector, small and medium enterprises, and productive families, and creating marketing outlets for craftsmen to enrich local tourism and revive cultural heritage sites.