Al
Hajar Geopark Booklet Issued to Promote Sustainable Tourism

Muscat,
28 July 2026 (ONA) — The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has issued the Al
Hajar Geopark booklet in both Arabic and English. This comes within the
framework of its efforts to introduce the pioneering national project that
embodies the Sultanate of Oman’s commitment to preserving geological heritage,
enhancing sustainable ecotourism, and promoting the natural elements it abounds
with at both the local and international levels.

Al
Hajar Geopark project marks the inaugural step for geopark registration
projects in the Sultanate of Oman. It reflects the role played by the Ministry
of Heritage and Tourism in preparing the requirements for establishing national
geoparks and working to register them among the UNESCO Global Geoparks.

Through
two main chapters, the booklet addresses the fundamental pillars of the project
and its developmental impacts. The first chapter reviews the economic and
cultural dimensions of the Al Hajar Geopark, its role in supporting sustainable
tourism, highlighting the geological and natural heritage, and empowering local
communities by creating economic and tourism opportunities based on the
investment of natural and cultural elements.

The
second chapter reviews 20 tourism products within the scope of the Al Hajar
Geopark, which were selected for their unique geological, natural, and cultural
elements. This contributes to enriching the visitor’s experience and enhancing
the geopark’s status as an integrated tourism and cultural destination.

Furthermore,
the Ministry issued the English version of the Al Hajar Geopark map, which
illustrates the locations of tourism products and attractions within the scope
of the geopark. The park extends across the northern Sultanate of Oman through
the Al Hajar mountain ranges, encompassing three governorates: A’Dakhiliyah,
South Al Batinah, and North A’Sharqiyah. It also includes eleven wilayats:
Nizwa, Samail, Bidbid, Izki, Al Hamra, Al Jabal Al Akhdar, A’Rustaq, Al Awabi,
Nakhal, Wadi Al Maawil, and Al Mudhaibi.

—Ends/AG