By Manal Abdel Fattah
As of January 1, the state of Sur in the Sultanate of Oman is preparing to celebrate its status as the capital of Arab tourism for the year 2024 AD, at a time when the Office of the Governor of South Al Sharqiyah, in coordination with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, partners and relevant authorities, is preparing a package of events, activities, programs and the implementation of many projects that enhance the tourism and aesthetic infrastructure. And development of the state.
Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, said that the selection of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism in its 26th session, which was held in Doha in mid-December 2023, of the State of Sur as the capital of Arab tourism for the year 2024 AD, is a unique experience for this ancient state to enhance the state’s tourist attraction, organize various events, and ensure that this The occasion will be useful, highlighting the potential, creating a tourist flow, and revitalizing the region and its surroundings.
The Minister of Heritage and Tourism added that the state of Sur is rich in historical and tourism components, cultural and heritage components, and infrastructure, which enhances the tourist attractions and contributes to attracting tourism from inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman, expressing his hope that it will add positive successes that enhance the status of this historical state rich in components. That you keep and surround yourself with.
Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi said that during the next two months, coinciding with the celebration of the state of Sur as the capital of Arab tourism, consulting services will be assigned to the Maritime History Museum in Sur, and the work of establishing the visitor center at the archaeological site of Qalhat, registered on the World Heritage List, will be assigned, and the development of this site will continue. In archaeological surveys, site excavations and restoration work, in addition to surveys related to submerged antiquities, the archaeological surveys program is continuing in the archaeological sites of the Wilayat of Sur, including the Ras Al Hadd and Ras Al Jinz sites.
For his part, Dr. Yahya bin Badr Al-Maawali, Governor of South Al Sharqiyah, said that choosing the state of Sur as the capital of Arab tourism came from the premise that this state has great capabilities that made it impose itself on the map of Arab tourism due to its great historical, cultural and social heritage, and the various components it abounds in both… On the sea side or on other sides.
Yahya bin Badr Al-Maawali pointed out that the program to celebrate the Wilayat of Sur as the capital of Arab tourism for the year 2024 includes many cultural and social celebrations and events, highlighting the traditional arts for which the Wilayat of Sur is particularly famous, and there is space for civil society associations, including the Omani Society for Writers and Authors, to participate in this. The program is to highlight its efforts and hold cultural and artistic events in which writers, writers, poets and others participate, and to hold art exhibitions and other events that enhance the tourism aspect.
