Ibra – North Sharqiyah is strengthening its position as one of Oman’s emerging heritage tourism destinations, with a sharp rise in tourism investment, restoration of historic landmarks and ongoing archaeological discoveries supporting the governorate’s development.

According to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the governorate now has 103 tourism and accommodation establishments. By the end of 2025, the ministry had signed 55 tourism usufruct agreements, a 70% increase, with a combined rental value of RO111,000 during 2024-25.

Among the latest projects are 11 tourism agreements signed last November for a three-star hotel and resort, four luxury camps, three standard camps and a tourism and commercial complex across the wilayats of Ibra, Mudhaibi, Bidiyah, Al Qabil, Wadi Bani Khalid and Sinaw. The developments are expected to add 120 hotel rooms to the governorate’s accommodation capacity.

Alongside tourism investment, the ministry has stepped up efforts to preserve the governorate’s historic landmarks.

During 2025 and the first half of 2026, restoration works exceeding RO100,000 were completed at Darwazat Al Wali, Darwazat Al Naseeb and Darwazat Al Manzafa in Ibra, Darwazat Al Hujra in Samad Al Shan and Burj Al Radda in Mudhaibi.

Restoration is also continuing at Al Muntarib Fort and Al Wasil Fort in Bidiyah, with investments exceeding RO300,000.

The governorate is currently hosting four Omani and international archaeological missions investigating sites dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages.

An Omani team is excavating Al Gharin in Mudhaibi to study prehistoric settlements, while a German mission is examining tombs, stone towers and the effects of climate on ancient communities at Al Salili and Al Khashba. An Italian mission is working at Aqir Zaidah in Wadi Bani Khalid, a Late Iron Age site that includes 11 defensive towers.

North Sharqiyah has long attracted international archaeological interest. Between 1973 and 1976, a Harvard University mission identified about 180 archaeological sites, including the Wadi Ibra settlement. A British mission working from 1971 to 1978 uncovered 79 sites and carried out excavations in Salut, Samad Al Shan and Al Maysar.

Italian, French and German expeditions have also documented settlements, tombs and ancient copper mining sites linked to the Magan civilisation. Research continues through teams from the Universities of Naples, Heidelberg and Tübingen, alongside a joint Omani-German mission.

The ministry said the governorate’s combination of desert landscapes, historic settlements, archaeological sites and oases offers significant potential for heritage tourism. It aims to integrate these assets into tourism routes while supporting local communities and contributing to the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.