OMAN: Steps to boost cultural tourism

SALALAH — As many as 5,515 tourists visited the sites of Al Baleed Archaeological Park and Frankincense Land Museum and Samharam Archeological Park during December, according to statistics from the Land of Frankincense Department at the office of the Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan for Cultural Affairs.

Of these, Al Baleed Archaeological Park and the Frankincense Land Museum received 3,363 tourists and Samharam
Archeological Park received around 2,150 tourists.
The three sites as well as Khor Rouri Shisr, Wubar and Wadi Dawkah areas are listed as Unesco world heritage sites under the name Land of Frankincense.
The office is developing several archaeological sites with the aim of actualising the goals of cultural and archaeological tourism in Dhofar.

Effort are also being taken to acquaint tourists with the authentic value.
Ghamin bin Said al Shanfari, Director of the Land of Frankincense Department, said the office of the Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan for Cultural Affairs, has awarded tender for the development of the second phase of the sea front at Al Baleed beach and the firm is currently readying to commence the construction work of this vital project which is considered as a landmark of cultural and natural tourism in Dhofar.
The history of Al Baleed dates back to 2000 BC when it had its main settlement at the eastern outskirts of Salalah. During the late Iron Age it was an active central city and was prosperous during the Islamic era.

Source: OmanDailyObserver