NIZWA: Nizwa experienced one of its most memorable afternoons recently when the sound of a helicopter filled the parking area of Nizwa Souq, announcing the first-ever landing of Al Sharqiya Aviation helicopter in the middle of the wilayat.
This unprecedented event in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate opens the door to a completely new tourism experience unlike anything the governorate has seen before.
Before the helicopter landed in the souq area, Shaikh Hilal bin Said al Hajri, Governor of Al Dakhiliyah, and HH Sayyid Fahd bin Fatik al Said flew in the helicopter from Oman Across Ages Museum to Nizwa Souq, marking the official inauguration of this new tourism experience.
As soon as the helicopter touched down, people began gathering around the area to witness this historic moment. The sense of amazement was clear, and many residents said they never imagined they would see a helicopter landing in the same old market known for its scenes of trade and car parking.
Um Yasser, a resident of Nizwa, said: “We truly felt the wilayat has entered a new phase. Nizwa is always developing, but today the feeling was different.”
One young man expressed his excitement: “This is the first time we've seen something like this in the entire Al Dakhiliyah. Imagine travelling from Nizwa to Muscat in minutes? It’s something to be proud of.” The event brought a fresh spirit to the city. Not just through technology or aviation, but because it offered people a new kind of possibility to see Nizwa’s mountains, forts, aflaj and valleys from the sky.
Dr Ishaq al Sheryani, Chairman of Al Dar Inn, said: “Nizwa deserves this level of service. The governorate is full of beauty and wonder, and it’s time for people to see it from a new angle. Today, we begin the era of air tourism and the best is yet to come.”
Landings will be coordinated with the governor's office, the police and relevant authorities in the market square until a permanent location is determined in the future. It’s time to diversify our tourism sectors. We now have what's called air tourism, and we also know that visual content has become desirable content for everyone.” Ahlam al Jahdhami, CEO of Al Sharqiya Aviation, said: “Tours are available for everyone according to their wishes. This idea is coming up to do domestic tourism so that the citizen or tourist can see the history in the natural environment. We do the same tourist trips in Muscat, so this will be the first time in Nizwa.”
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