Historical
Landmarks Boost Economy, Stimulate Investment

Muscat,
3 Nov (ONA) — Tangible heritage is a vital tool for boosting the economy and
stimulating investment, encompassing historical landmarks, buildings, and
archaeological artifacts. It is also a key element of national and cultural
identity, reflecting the antiquity and diversity of Omani civilization.

Investment
in tangible heritage ensures the sustainability of resources and contributes to
economic development. The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of
Heritage and Tourism, is making diligent efforts to revive cultural heritage
sites, in alignment with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and the strategic
programs of the 10th Development Plan.

In
this context, Zayyana Mohammed Al Harrasi, Head of the Historical Sites
Development and Rehabilitation Section at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism,
explained that the Ministry seeks to expand its efforts, enhance its patterns,
and ensure their sustainability through investment, particularly in the
management and operation of some historical and archaeological landmarks and
sites. This is done to utilize cultural heritage by fostering a partnership
with the private sector through diverse tourism experiences, providing direct
and indirect job opportunities, empowering the private sector—including SMEs
and productive families—and creating marketing outlets for artisans to enrich
tourism with projects that have local value added for the community and an
economic return.

She
affirmed to Oman News Agency (ONA) that the Ministry aims to develop and
provide diverse tourism destinations and experiences across the various
governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. This contributes to diversifying the
tourism product and maximizing the benefit from cultural heritage as
destinations and tourist attractions in order to showcase Omani civilization
and the ancient cultural heritage. This is coupled with maximizing the tourism,
cultural, social, and economic benefit and reviving these landmarks to preserve
and sustain them. Therefore, the Ministry has adopted the approach of entrusting
these landmarks to private sector companies for management and operation,
offering diverse new tourism experiences and products that attract tourists and
leave them with a lasting, unforgettable memory. This also ensures the
interaction of the local community surrounding the landmark to highlight and
promote it, which strengthens the aspects of sustainability and the continuity
of preserving all cultural inheritances as competitive advantages.

Regarding
programs and foundations concerned with supporting owners of heritage projects,
she indicated that a specialized committee has been formed to oversee the
rehabilitation and investment of historical landmarks, and 24 contracts have
been signed for the management, operation, and utilization of a group of historical
landmarks by the private sector. The institutions operating the heritage sites
strive to develop and improve the tourism experiences associated with the site,
which in turn enriches the visitor intellectually, recreationally, and
culturally. This improvement contributes to enhancing the overall
attractiveness of the tourism product and grants the operator an initial grace
period of three years from the payment of imposed fees.

The
Head of the Historical Sites Development and Rehabilitation Section at the
Ministry of Heritage and Tourism stated that the most prominent challenges
facing heritage and archaeological sites are infringements, including urban
sprawl due to development projects and the absence of awareness about the
importance of preserving and conserving these sites. The issuance of title
deeds for archaeological sites also poses a challenge, especially when there is
overlap with other sites belonging to service entities or citizens alike.

She
indicated that the institutions operating the historical and archaeological
landmarks and sites contribute to enhancing the tourism product by focusing on
activating all aspects related to the landmark, including its historical,
architectural, and spatial dimensions, and showcasing them in the form of
activities, events, and products that capture the tourist’s attention and
enrich their artisanal and recreational side, creating tourism experiences that
allow them to enjoy and benefit from the landmark.

She
added that these operating institutions will also contribute to raising
awareness among younger generations, making these landmarks diverse tourist
destinations depending on the management and utilization. Furthermore, the
revival of these sites through their operation is, in itself, a form of preservation
against decay and neglect, ensuring their sustainability, maintenance, and
protection.

She
mentioned that historical landmarks play an effective role in stimulating
tourism movement, diversifying the tourism product, and maximizing the benefit
from cultural heritage and historical landmarks as tourist destinations and
attractions, highlighting Omani civilization and the antiquity of cultural
heritage, in addition to creating direct and indirect job opportunities. She
pointed out that reviving tourism activity in the area surrounding the
historical landmark contributes to increasing and diversifying tourist
attractions, increasing the number of visitors to historical landmarks, and
achieving added value.

She
said that reviving tourism activity in the area surrounding the historical
landmark leads to the enrichment of tourism through projects with local value
added that benefit the local community, while adding value to the tourism map
of the Sultanate of Oman, and providing direct and indirect job opportunities
by empowering the private sector, including SMEs, involving productive families
in the local community, creating marketing outlets for artisans, holding events
and activities throughout the year, and improving the quality of services,
goods, and the qualification of local community members and employees.

For
his part, Abdul Rahman Saleh Al Abri, an entrepreneur in tourism tours and
trips, stated that working in heritage tourism has a pivotal role in
introducing the visitor to the cultural legacy and inherent heritage of the
country, along with the details embodied in the old lifestyle and the
significance that evaluates the development reached by the Omanis, which in
turn enriches researchers and those interested in this field.

He
added that the most prominent attractions for local and international tourists
to heritage sites are the old architectural style that derived its details and
materials from the surrounding environment, and their direct encounter with
living history in the archaeological landmarks, alongside the experience of the
traditional lifestyle that offers the tourist an integrated experience combining
nature and culture.

In
his turn, Yousef Zahran Al Dhahli, owner of the “Falaj Café” project,
explained that the existence of such projects undertakes a significant role in preserving
inherited values and transmitting them from one generation to another, as the
connection of the modern generation to the ancient heritage strengthens the
spirit of belonging and responsibility to preserve this legacy.

He
said that the presence of tourism activity in such heritage facilities has
encouraged the restoration of various structures such as heritage inns and
museums, which generates good income for the owners or investors and requires
local management, thus contributing to the employment of youth in this sector.

—Ends/AG