The five Omani archaeological sites inscribed on the World Heritage List contribute to enhance the tourism and heritage elements of the Sultanate of Oman and strengthen its capability to attract investments to the tourism sector, which helps to empower the tourism sector to play its role in achieving the objectives of the Oman Vision 2040.
In this context, Ibtisam al Maamari, Director of the Directorate General of the World Heritage at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said, “ the heritage is a fundamental tool for creating identity. It is considered as an indicator for the glories of nations, and a part of the means for the nation’s prosperity, as well as being an essential source of pride inspiration in human thought. The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism was keen to join the World Heritage Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, in 1981, in accordance with Royal Decree No 81/69.
“The acceding to the World Heritage Convention, has paved the way for the Sultanate of Oman to nominate archaeological sites of exceptional value to be inscribed on the World Heritage List, while this concern contributes to enriching our cultural heritage and introducing its tourism importance to the world.
Al Maamari clarified that the inscription of any archaeological site on the World Heritage List, enhances the capability of the inscribed site to receive the support and attention of the international community. It enables the countries which are homes to these sites, to obtain assistance in protecting and preserving their heritage, through direct assistance from Unesco.
It also helps the worldwide tourism promotion for the inscribed site by Unesco, in order to attract large numbers of tourists to visit it.
She pointed out that, the Omani sites met the justifications for the nomination in terms of preserving the site’s authenticity, its proper management and protection. An analysis report was presented including a comparison between the nominated sites and other sites of the same type, in addition to specific criteria in Articles (1 and 2) of the convention, which ensure that, the site is of an exceptional universal value and maintains the conditions of authenticity and safety.
She clarified that there are several criteria that determine the inclusion of sites on the World Heritage List. This includes that the nominated site must be of exceptional global value, and represent one of the masterpieces of the creative human mind or manifest strong influences that took place over time or within a cultural area in the world, related to the development of architecture or technology, or to artistic edifices, town planning, or to landscape design.
The nominated sites also must be a unique or exceptional witness to a cultural tradition or civilisation that is still alive or extinct or that it represents an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, or a traditional method of using land or exploiting the seas and represents a specific culture or interaction between man and his environment.
Among the criteria also, the nominated site must be directly or tangibly associated with events, living traditions, beliefs, or literary or artistic works of outstanding high importance, or include areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic significance.
For his part, Mohsen al Lawati, a heritage specialist at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said that the site of Bahla Fort in the Wilayat of Bahla at the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah is considered the first site inscribed on the World Heritage List, in 1987, while the site includes the fort and the oasis, traditional Souqs , ancient lanes, and archaeological mosques within the wall of Bahla .The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has signed an agreement with the Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN ), aims at managing and operating the Bahla Fort site.
Mohsen pointed out that, the Bahla Fort site contributes to strengthening investment in the tourism sector due to its capability to attract increasing investments, particularly after its inscription on the World Heritage List. The local Souq at this heritage site includes (186) shops, where the number of active shops reached (154), while ( 67) shops have been restored by the Ministry Heritage and tourism.
He emphasised that, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has developed a precise plan for the restoration of the Wall of Bahla that extends over a distance of 12 km.
The first stage of restoration works started in 2021, with a total length of 729 metres on the front facade overlooking the road linking the city of Nizwa and Bahla.
He stressed that the Bahla Fort site also attracts many economic and commercial activities, such as cafes, exhibitions, antiques, gifts, local products, repairing electronic devices, and selling handicraft products, among others.
Al Lawati added that the sites of Bat, Al Khatm and Al Ayn in the Wilayat of Ibri in the Governorate of Al Dhahirah were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1988. The sites represent a prominent example of the settlements in the third millennium BC, as they include the largest gathering of archaeological towers and tombs characteristic of that era.
He emphasised that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is preparing a comprehensive management plan for the sites, taking into account the historical, archaeological and architectural aspects.
The work on an investment project of the archaeological visitor centre at Bat is also underway. The project is located close to the archaeological site, which includes a number of facilities, such as a handicraft industries area, offices, an information and multimedia centre, cafes and stores.
He clarified that the sites of the Land of Frankincense were inscribed on the World Heritage List in the year of 2000. The sites are located in the Governorate of Dhofar and are represented in four sprawling sites, namely (Al Balid , Samharam/Khawr Rawri , Wadi Dawkah and Al Shasr), while Al Balid is considered as the most important and largest of these archaeological sites.
The site management plan includes information and data related to the basic aspects such as the historical, archaeological, and architectural aspects, as well as the legal framework, borders and taboos. During the year 2022, a tender was announced, aims at investing on cafes in (Al Balid , Samhuram and Ubar) and to establish recreational activities in (Al Balid and Samharam). While a contract was made to invest in Wadi Dawkah site.
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