Muscat – Music, theatre and visual arts will take centre stage at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) as it expands its calendar beyond conferences and exhibitions with a new Art and Culture Season.

The season opened with a concert by Egyptian singer Rami Sabry and will feature performances by popular Arab performers Saber Rebai, Tamer Ashour and Elissa, alongside theatre and visual arts events.

The programme will also include the return of the Muscat Art exhibition, bringing together artists, creators and audiences, as well as the Kuwaiti play Engineer of Public Taste. More concerts and live performances are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The initiative is aimed at establishing OCEC as a destination for cultural and entertainment events while complementing its existing role as a venue for major international conferences, exhibitions and business events.

Saeed bin Salim Al Shanfari, CEO of OCEC, said artistic, cultural and entertainment events form an important part of the wider business tourism and events economy.

“The impact of these events extends beyond the centre’s halls, reaching hotels, restaurants, the transportation and retail sectors, and other economic activities,” he said.

Al Shanfari said the season would provide audiences with a range of experiences while enhancing Muscat and Oman’s appeal as a destination combining business, culture and entertainment.

He said leisure tourism complemented business tourism, with concerts, exhibitions and live performances helping attract visitors and generate spending on accommodation, transport, dining, shopping and other tourism experiences.

Major events can also encourage visitors to combine attendance with other activities and attractions, increasing the overall economic value of their stay, he said.

OCEC is working with entities across the tourism, hospitality, culture and entertainment sectors to attract and stage a diverse programme throughout the year, supporting Muscat’s position on the regional and international events map.

The Art and Culture Season brings together music, visual arts, theatre and live entertainment, with the centre signaling plans for a broader programme of cultural and entertainment events in the months ahead.