@vinot_nair -
MUSCAT: The Nizwa Fort in Al Dhakilayah Governorate is one of the most popular forts in the country, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
The Nizwa fort received 125,876 visitors in 2018, 143, 767 visitors in 2019 and 44, 047 in 2020, when the site was closed for a long time as part of the restrictive measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
Among other forts and castles, Muttrah received 14,781 visitors in 2020, Taqah (4,457), Mirbat (691), Khasab (10,429), Bukha (6,367), Buraimi (1,068), Bahla (11,304) and Gebreen (19,977).
Among museums, the National Museum received 33,856 visitors in 2020, including 412 official delegates and 9,256 students. The Frankincense Land Museum in Salalah has been popular with 11,871 visitors, while Bait al Zubair in the capital received 37,765 visitors.
The government has been working on various initiatives to privatize natural heritage sites such as forts, castles, and old villages located in Oman. Having achieved success with some projects, the initiative has been expanded to additional sites to develop – which are economically viable, and which offer further diversification potential for Oman’s tourism sector.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) recently invited private companies and institutions that have the technical and financial capabilities to apply for a competition for the lease, operation, and employment of Muttrah Fort and Al Bait al Kabir in Muttrah.
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