Muscat: The meeting, held under the patronage of His Excellency Mahmoud bin Yahya Al-Dhahli, Governor of North Al Sharqiyah, brought together key partners from across the tourism sector to review ongoing initiatives and future development priorities.

Delivering the keynote address, His Excellency Azzan bin Qasim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, said the gathering aligns with the Ministry’s efforts to deepen its collaboration with governorates and private-sector partners. He stressed that tourism remains one of Oman’s most vital economic sectors, creating jobs, stimulating local economies, and driving sustainable development.

He added that the Ministry is currently focusing on enhancing the sector’s competitiveness to ensure it plays an active role in achieving national development goals.

Speaking on the tourism outlook for the governorate, Sumaya bint Hamad Al Busaidi, Director of the Heritage and Tourism Department in North Al Sharqiyah, said the ongoing winter tourist season, running from October to April 2026, has witnessed a significant influx of domestic and international visitors. She attributed this rise to the governorate’s rich variety of landscapes and attractions, from deserts and valleys to archaeological sites.

She noted that North Al Sharqiyah is home to 100 tourism establishments, comprising 16 hotels and hotel apartments, 27 green lodges, 37 guest houses, and 17 tourist camps, offering a total of 1,298 hotel rooms to meet the growing demand.

The meeting also featured four working papers, each addressing a key pillar of tourism development. The first focused on the Eastern Sands, while the second reviewed temporary employment contracts in tourist establishments. The third paper highlighted security and safety regulations applied by the Civil Defense and Ambulance Authority, and the fourth examined the role of Oman’s national travel operator, Visit Oman, in enhancing travel services and experiences.