Muscat: Salim bin Mohammad al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, said that there is a plan, in cooperation with the concerned authorities to take advantage of the Dubai Expo 2020 and 2022 World Cup in Qatar to attract tourists to the country.
Speaking at Majlis Ash’ Shura, he said that one of the important products of the tourism sector in Oman is desert adventures and the ministry is working on regulations for the Sharqiyah Sands, in line with the interests of the local communities and the environment.
He said that there are seasonal promotional programs for families to promote domestic tourism at reasonable prices, which have been effective.
The minister said that nearly 130 nationalities have been exempted from tourist visas and the government is working with Oman Air on promotions to increase the flow of tourists.
On questions regarding the use of vast government lands that were not exploited by tourism companies, he said, "Some of those who acquired large areas have not started projects on them for more than 10 years. The ministry has started the procedures to reclaim these lands."
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