Muscat – The Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) in North Sharqiyah governorate, in cooperation with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT), will organise a tourism forum in Bidiyah on January 24, an official informed.

Salah Salim al Hajri, Chairman of the Tourism Committee of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s branch in North Sharqiyah, said that the ‘Oman Desert Tourism Forum’ is going to be the first of its kind in Oman.

The forum will be attended by a number of officials in the investment and tourism sectors, officials of travel and tourism companies, desert reserves, and owners of projects related to the desert winter season.

The tourism components of North Sharqiyah governorate offer the diversity of the terrain, nature and specific tourist places, which help it attract a large number of visitors from Oman and abroad.

The forum has been planned to celebrate the diverse atmosphere and tourist places of the governorate, with a motive to encourage private sector institutions to hold such events highlight these components.

“It is of great importance to shed light on investment and economic activities in the desert tourism sector in the governorate. The parameters that need attention and promotion include the laws regulating this sector, the investment opportunities both for the local and foreign investors, the cultural and social dimension of desert tourism, and the Gulf experiences in this aspect,” Hajri said.

According to him, ‘Oman Desert Tourism Forum’ will work to highlight the cultural and historical heritage of the area, the diversity of tourism patterns that the desert of the sultanate enjoys, and its significance as a destination for local and international tourists.

In this regard, he indicated that there will be some important announcements during the forum, which will be made in cooperation with other bodies.

About some qualitative initiatives, the Tourism Committee chairman said that specialised training courses in the field of tourism media will be launched, which may in the long run help prepare the people of North Sharqiyah for a vibrant tourism industry.

Hajri informed that preparations for the forum began quite early, with many meetings held to finalise the topics that the forum would present. Committees and teams were formed entrusting them with the task of organising the forum in a befitting manner.

“The forum will present working papers dealing with investment opportunities in desert tourism, legislation and laws in desert tourism, the reality of this tourism and its cultural and social dimensions,” Hajri added.