Bahla Forum showcases heritage push to boost cultural tourism

BAHLA: Bahla Fort hosted tourism professionals, travel operators, and industry stakeholders for the 'Tourism Companies Forum,' organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.
The event brought together 25 tourism companies and travel agencies from across Oman to explore ways of integrating Bahla’s rich heritage assets into curated travel itineraries targeting both domestic and international visitors. Discussions focused on positioning Bahla not merely as a heritage stop, but as a holistic cultural destination capable of driving higher tourist footfall to Al Dakhiliyah Governorate.
Key attention was directed toward the growing tourism value of Bahla Historical Mosque, traditional neighbourhoods and the historic market area, alongside ongoing restoration and development initiatives aimed at enhancing visitor experience while preserving architectural authenticity.
Eng Ali bin Ahmed bin Amer al Shaqsi, General Manager of Al Marasim Tourism and Investment — the operator responsible for Bahla Fort and the historical mosque — said the forum reflects a broader vision to activate heritage sites as living cultural spaces.
He noted that Bahla’s heritage landscape offers a distinctive blend of architecture, traditional crafts, and authentic Omani experiences, making it well-suited for structured cultural tourism programmes.
The forum also included guided familiarisation visits across key heritage sites. Participants explored Bahla Heritage Souq, where they were briefed on its historical role in the social and economic life of the wilayat.
The tour further highlighted nearby heritage cafés, guesthouses, and emerging tourism projects contributing to the area’s evolving hospitality ecosystem.
Delegates visited surrounding old neighbourhoods where restoration work is underway to rehabilitate traditional homes and repurpose them for tourism use, while maintaining their original architectural identity.
At Bahla Historical Mosque, participants observed its architectural and religious significance, including inscriptions, restored features, and newly developed museum spaces displaying artefacts, coins, antiquities and archival photographs documenting its transformation over time.
Inside Bahla Fort, tourism operators were introduced to upgraded visitor facilities, including enhanced lighting, safety systems, surveillance infrastructure, and improved public amenities. The site now hosts a range of curated cultural exhibits, including displays on traditional collectibles, antique doors, Omani honeybees and meteorites, with additional museums on manuscripts, weapons, stamps and archives currently under development.
Visitors also experienced live heritage demonstrations, including pottery-making workshops, traditional crafts, Omani fashion displays and cultural hospitality activities hosted within the fort premises.
Al Shaqsi emphasised that these initiatives are part of a broader sustainable tourism strategy aimed at supporting local communities, preserving heritage assets and enriching visitor engagement.
While stakeholders welcomed the developments, tourism representatives noted that additional hospitality infrastructure— particularly more dining options and higher-capacity accommodation — would be essential to support future growth and accommodate larger international groups.
Binu James, Founder and Managing Director of The Falcon Expeditions Trade LLC, described the familiarisation programme as 'highly informative and professionally organised,' highlighting its value in showcasing Bahla’s heritage sites as authentic cultural tourism assets.
The forum concluded with calls for stronger collaboration between tourism operators and heritage stakeholders, with the shared goal of elevating Bahla as one of Oman’s leading cultural tourism destinations on the regional and global map.