Muscat – Two three-star hotels will be opened in Dhahirah in 2022, according to Ali bin Khamis al Sudairi, assistant director of Heritage and Tourism Department.

“The number of licensed tourist facilities in Dhahirah has reached 15, including green hotels (eco-friendly hotels), guest houses and other accommodation facilities. The two 3-star hotels, which will provide 105 rooms, will open this year,” said Sudairi.

“There are also four 1 and 2 star hotels and five green hotels that are expected to be opened during the current year,” Sudairi said.

Dhahirah governorate includes about 123 archaeological Harat (traditional settlement) and 54 forts distributed over the wilayats of Ibri, Yanqul and Dhank, in addition to natural sites such as wadis, which attract many tourists and citizens.

Sudairi informed that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has a plan to restore Ibri Fort during this year, in addition to opening a museum for archaeological exhibits in the same fort.

“With an aim to enrich the heritage and tourism aspect in the governorate, which would revitalise the tourism movement in the governorate, the ministry is studying investment in the Beit Al-Marah castle in the wilayat of Yanqul and the Al-Munaikh Fort in the wilayat of Dhank in the coming period,” said Sudairi .

According to Sudairi, the opening of the Empty Quarter road, which links the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will open great prospects for all economic and social sectors, and will enhance the flow of tourism to the wilayats of Dhahirah governorate, especially Ibri.