In a fast-paced world, we don’t have the time to weave into the spirit of a place or to root ourselves in the land. Yet, reconnecting with nature is more than a pastime. It is essential for imaginative expression, leading to art, poetry and photography that capture nature’s wonders.
I have met several designers, artists and photographers who spend hours looking for the right moment to capture the sunrise, the bees kissing the flowers, the colourful stones along the beach, the exquisite rocks in the desert, or the various colours and shapes of the dunes.
These acts of enchantment allow a person to slow down and reconnect with the simple beauty of nature. When one is enchanted by the land and its beauty, it is an experience that dissolves the boundaries between the self and the world. It is a form of love and a sublime experience.
I have been in love with Oman for the last 18 years. Each time I drive around the country, I feel a sense of respect for nature. There is an overwhelming feeling of turning the natural world into a feast for my eyes. I am grateful that I am capable of seeing it, and I admire such a source of quiet wonder as the glowing, bright yellow splendour of sunset behind mountains, or when the desert explodes into life with lush grass and wildflowers.
There is this feeling as if I am witnessing the ‘beginnings of life’ or seeing the world as brighter and more magical. For a moment, I can rest my thoughts away from the news on politics, wars and genocide. I find myself lost in thoughts and listening to the stories of the land, the streams, the wind and the scenery.
The variety of natural landscapes gives me a better understanding of the linkages between individuals and their surroundings. Each village, each dirt track, each waterfall tells a unique story. People do not attach themselves to abstract classifications such as ‘the environment’ or ‘biodiversity,’ but to tangible landscapes they were born in, live in, or work in.
While the visual pleasure of high-definition natural landscapes (green spaces, water and blue skies) gives rise to a positive mood and a sense of calm, I recognise that it has also become a commodity.
The connectedness to nature has grown from a visual aesthetic perspective to a general understanding that encompasses social, cultural and economic dimensions. It highlights the close relationship between natural landscapes and tourism, with landscapes serving as a key resource and attraction for nature-based tourism activities.
Natural landscapes as a common good and tourism are relevant drivers of territorial development, with both contributing to considerations of places and mobility. This has a complex relationship where landscapes serve as the primary attraction, resource and destination, while tourism actions actively transform, manage and commodify these environments.
The processes of valorisation and stereotyping of countryside areas are explored, emphasising their influence on tourists' perceptions and destination choice.
It is easy to understand why I am in love with Oman. Despite its dramatic contrasts, which exist side by side, it is a fragile land. This enchantment is shaped by personal experiences and sociocultural factors.
It is a voyage to read my article, Jewels of a flourishing history, published by Oman Daily Observer two years ago, on the treasure trove of narratives from the country’s early 1970s. It highlights that Oman has amazing stories to tell the world, not just from people’s fascinating memories but also from its waters, mountains, dunes and the most beautiful starry nights. Tourism and culture shape how we perceive and value natural beauty.
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