AL AWABI: Al Batinah South Governorate has witnessed a notable surge in tourism and economic activity, reflecting the success of local events in supporting sustainable development and promoting Omani agricultural products.
In this context, the second edition of the Grape Festival, held in the Wilayat of Al Awabi, Al Batinah South Governorate, achieved remarkable success on both the agricultural and tourism fronts, attracting 1,340 visitors over two days. This underscores the growing stature of the festival as a platform to support the agricultural sector and stimulate tourism and economic activity in the governorate.
The festival recorded total sales exceeding RO 10,000, encompassing the sale of various grape varieties for which the farms of Wadi Bani Kharous are renowned, alongside figs, fresh dates, mangoes, and agricultural seedlings, as well as modern equipment used in irrigation systems, handicrafts, and products of family-run enterprises. This provided direct marketing opportunities for farmers and artisans, contributing to the revitalisation of commercial and service activities.
The festival is an initiative aimed at highlighting the local grape product, which is a seasonal crop of significant economic and social value, supporting farmers and encouraging them to expand grape cultivation and develop production methods. It also serves to enhance the agricultural identity of the village and showcase farmers' efforts in advancing production techniques. Furthermore, the festival constituted a social and tourism event that reinforced the position of the Wilayat of Al Awabi as a prominent agricultural and heritage destination in the governorate.
Sami bin Ali al Bahri, one of the participants in the second edition of the Grape Festival, stated that the festival has become a platform for marketing agricultural products and introducing visitors to the quality of local produce.
He added that the festival represents a valuable opportunity for farmers to market their produce directly to consumers without intermediaries, noting that the substantial turnout from visitors had a positive impact on sales volumes and helped introduce the local grape varieties for which the villages of Wadi Bani Kharous are famous.
On her turn, Samia bint Salim al Thuhli, Chairperson of the Omani Women's Association in the Wilayat of Al Awabi, explained that the festival provides an opportunity for family-run enterprises to showcase their traditional and artisanal products to a broad segment of visitors, introducing them to the local products that distinguish the wilayat.
As part of future development plans, the festival organisers announced their intention to expand the event's footprint within the village and develop new facilities to accommodate larger numbers of visitors, while extending the festival's duration in the future from two days to a full week. They also plan to organise accompanying programmes and events before and after the grape season, to ensure year-round momentum in tourism and agricultural activity. — ONA
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