Suhar – The number of licences issued for tourism investment projects in South Batinah rose sharply to 174 this year between January and the end of October, compared to 117 during the same period last year, marking an increase of 48.7%.
Dr Al Mutasim bin Nasser al Hilali, Director of the Heritage and Tourism Department in South Batinah, said the licences covered a wide range of tourism activities, including eco-lodges, guesthouses, tour operators, travel agencies, hotels, tourist transport services, rest houses and heritage lodges.
He informed that Barka dominated the list of licensed projects, accounting for 81% of the total with 141 projects. Musannah followed with 18 projects, representing 10.3% of the total. The remaining licences were distributed across Nakhal (six), Rustaq (five), and Al Awabi and Wadi al Maawil (two each).
According to Hilali, guesthouses topped the list of licensed activities with 119, accounting for 68.3% of the total. This was followed by tour operators with 26 licences, travel agencies with 14 and eco-lodges with 11. The remaining permits included one licence each for hotels, rest houses, heritage lodges and tourism transport services.
Highlighting the importance of eco-lodge projects, Hilali said the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism launched the eco-lodge initiative in 2015 to diversify tourism products and accommodation options in line with the sector’s evolving needs. He noted that eco-lodges offer a calm and nature-based hospitality experience, often set within green oases and varied environments, enhancing their appeal and the range of tourist experiences available. Such facilities also cater well to families and large groups through their spacious accommodation options.
Updated statistics show that South Batinah currently has 48 eco-lodges, distributed across its wilayats – 33 in Barka, ten in Musannah, two each in Rustaq and Nakhal, and one in Wadi al Maawil.
Hilali added that the ministry, in coordination with relevant government entities, has taken steps to simplify and accelerate licensing procedures for eco-lodges. This includes authorising heritage and tourism departments in governorates to directly review applications once all requirements and approvals are in place.
On efforts to boost domestic and international tourism during the current winter season, he said the department is rolling out a series of promotional programmes and activities across the governorate. These include a heritage event called Nostalgia for the Past, organised in cooperation with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Musannah to highlight cultural heritage among students and visitors.
He added that the department also organised an adventure tourism event – Oman’s Cliff – at the end of November, aimed at promoting mountain trails in the village of Hadash and attracting experienced adventure enthusiasts, in cooperation with a specialised and licensed operator.
