Muscat – Oman will celebrate the launch of the Jewel of Arabia Expedition on Monday in London. The event will be held under the patronage of H H Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, and Prince William, the Prince of Wales, highlighting the strong historical ties between Oman and the United Kingdom.

The expedition is set to begin on January 6, 2025 starting at Ras al Hadd and travelling along the coast to Salalah. The 30-day journey will involve participation of Omani youth and representatives from the UK, focusing on exploration, cultural exchange and environmental awareness.

The initiative revives the historic journey of British explorer Bertram Thomas, who in 1928 became the first European to cross Rub al Khali following ancient Omani trade routes.

Alongside the launch, an exhibition will display archaeological artefacts collected during Thomas’s journey, offering a glimpse into the region’s rich history.

Organised by Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, in collaboration with Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, and the Foreign Ministry (represented by Oman’s Embassy in the UK), the expedition aims to develop participants’ skills in exploration and heritage preservation while promoting environmental sustainability.