KHASAB: The 'Zaree Khasab' project in Musandam Governorate embodies a unique tourism experience that merges the charm of the location with the depth of cultural memory. The project seeks to enhance the governorate's position on the global tourism map by providing interactive cultural content that showcases local heritage in a manner that resonates with diverse cultures.
Eng Iman al Salti, the project owner, said the project was established in 2012 with a vision rooted in the belief that true tourism allows visitors to interact with the soul of a place and its people. Launched as a corporate social responsibility initiative by OMRAN Group, the project initially focused on empowering 50 local women through training programmes in hospitality, entrepreneurship, and the English and Italian languages, thereby building their capacities to engage in tourism and cultural activities.
She added that, based on this foundation, the project works to transform the tourist from a passive recipient into an active participant in the cultural details of Musandam through sensory experiences based on touch, observation and direct practice.
Al Salti stated that the project offers an integrated tourism experience that combines the introduction of the governorate's cultural heritage with support for the local economy. A key feature of this experience is the sale of souvenirs and handicrafts made by Musandam artisans; each piece carries a story inspired by the governorate's marine and mountainous environments, becoming a "cultural ambassador" that travels with the visitor across the globe.
She noted that the experience is not limited to acquiring products but extends to living local customs and traditions through participation in pottery making, henna application and wearing traditional Omani attire, as well as experiencing Omani hospitality and traditional cuisine that reflects the generosity and authenticity of the Musandam community.
She mentioned that ceramic art is the "beating heart" of the "Zaree Khasab" project, particularly at the Bassa Beach branch, where visitors reconnect with humanity's primal relationship with the earth.
Al Salti emphasises that the project has succeeded in turning homes into miniature production workshops and has contributed to empowering the women of Musandam by training them as professional artisans and certified trainers. The project provided them with marketing support, creating a model for a sustainable creative economy that enhances Omani women's participation in economic and social development while giving traditional crafts a contemporary dimension and providing direct and indirect employment opportunities. - ONA
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