The North Al Batinah Tourism Forum was recently launched under the auspices of Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. The event took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sohar, drawing attendance from various government and private entities involved in the tourism sector.
Mohammed bin Suleiman Al Kindi, Governor,of North Al Batinah, in his address highlighted the unique attributes of the region: "The forum is an opportunity to showcase the natural, heritage, and historical distinctiveness of the wilayats of North Al Batinah, alongside the existing infrastructure such as parks, gardens, and shopping centres."
Aimed at bolstering tourism investment opportunities in North Al Batinah, the forum highlighted the competitive advantages of the region's tourism sector.
The key objectives included enhancing and empowering emerging tourism and youth sectors, ensuring sustainability of the tourism industry, and facilitating direct communication and promotion of tourism services and packages.
Participants engaged with leading tourism entities and emerging institutions, exchanging information and experiences. The event featured several presentations by entities such as the Office of the Governor of North Al Batinah, Department of Heritage and Tourism, and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), Norrh Al Batinah. Esteemed speakers and tourism experts delivered presentations, followed by an open discussion session.
The North Al Batinah Tourism Forum featured four presentations.
Engineer Nasser Al Maamari, Director of the Oman Vision 2040 Office, North Al Batinah, discussed the region's strategic advantages, including its location, population density, natural resources, and logistical readiness, highlighting key infrastructure projects like Sohar Port and Sohar Airport.
Abdulaziz Al Ajmi, head of the Tourism Committee, OCCI, North Al Batinah, focused on tourism patterns and infrastructure, emphasising business tourism and providing statistics on Sohar Airport's operations.
Hasan Al Jabri, Director of Heritage and Tourism, North Al Batinah, presented on the region's tourism statistics and major tourist sites, noting its diverse landscapes and economic significance.
Capt Faisal Al Dhahli from the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority, discussed safety measures in mountain adventure tourism, emphasizing risk management, training, and emergency procedures.
Preceding the forum, a well-received tourism programme attracted a large audience from within and outside the region. The programme featured a range of aerial sports and adventure activities, including tandem paragliding with nine pilots performing formations such as straight lines, tandem lines, and flag-raising displays. The event also showcased equestrian displays, rowing boats, and a 4x4 convoy featuring five different off-road vehicles.
The chief guest also noted the forum's alignment with broader economic strategies: "The North Al Batinah Tourism Forum coincides with the outcomes of the Governorates' Economic Development Forum, which emphasized the tourism sector as a key economic aspect. The forum also highlighted adventure tourism and the development of tourism in the governorate, which are among the goals and plans of the Governor of North Al Batinah."
The Forum underscored the region's potential as a prime investment destination, offering diverse opportunities for sustainable tourism development.
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