International
Tender Floated to Inscribe “Salut: Iron Age Settlement” Site on World
Heritage List

Bahla,
9 Sep 2026 (ONA) —Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has floated an international
tender for consultancy services to prepare the nomination dossier and
management plan for inscribing the “Salut: Iron Age Settlement” site,
in preparation for submitting it to the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for consideration for inscription on the
World Heritage List.

The
strategic step reflects the Sultanate of Oman’s continuous commitment to
protecting and preserving its cultural heritage and enhancing its presence on
the international stage.

Ibtisam
Abdullah Al Maamari, Director of the World Heritage Department at the Ministry
of Heritage and Tourism, told Oman News Agency (ONA) that this step comes as
part of national efforts aimed at fulfilling nomination requirements in
accordance with approved international standards, enhancing the presence of
Omani cultural sites on the world heritage map, strengthening the site’s
sustainability, and maximizing the benefit from its cultural and tourism
assets.

She
added that the Bisya and Salut Archaeological Site in the Wilayat of Bahla is
considered one of the most prominent archaeological sites in the Sultanate of
Oman due to its rich civilizational evidence spanning from the Bronze Age
through the Iron Age up to the Islamic periods, reflecting the continuity of
human settlement and its development over thousands of years.

She
explained that the results of archaeological studies and excavations indicate
that the site possesses Outstanding Universal Value qualifying it for
nomination on the World Heritage List under the name “Salut: Iron Age
Settlement”.

The
Ministry had previously floated a competition for the management and
utilization of the visitor center and the Bisya and Salut Archaeological Site,
contributing to raising the quality of services provided to visitors,
developing the tourism and cultural experience at the site, and expanding the
scope of private sector participation in operating and managing associated
facilities and services.

Ibtisam
Abdullah Al Maamari affirmed that these initiatives reflect the integration of
efforts between the twin paths of heritage preservation and sustainable development,
as the tender for preparing the nomination dossier and management plan focuses
on documenting the site’s Outstanding Universal Value and fulfilling
requirements for inscription on the World Heritage List, while the site
management and operation competition focuses on enhancing its tourism readiness
and operational efficiency to achieve economic and cultural sustainability,
reinforcing its role as a leading heritage and tourism destination at the
national and international levels.

—Ends/AG