Muscat, August 9 - The Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA) and Ministry of Tourism are preparing plans for managing natural reserves in the Sultanate, which will open up new avenues for investment in the tourism sector, according to official reports.
Tanfeedh had suggested several initiatives for investment in the management and development of tourist sites in the country.
The Tanfeedh handbook mentions making Oman’s natural resources accessible to international tourist markets, which include natural reserves and springs, natural caves, mountains, deserts and several islands.
Tanfeedh had called for privatising the management of nature sites and protected areas, including enabling niche adventure activities.
The handbook mentions that the Sultanate’s landscape and unique terrain gives it an edge to host several adventure and challenge activities and attract nature enthusiasts from around the world.
Promoting these advantages would impact the development and growth of the tourism sector as there are several investment opportunities in tourism in various areas in the Sultanate, which include the development of facilities and services within these natural attractions and rehabilitation of the sites.
It had also pointed out there were no tools currently available for investing in nature reserves, which limit their role in creating employment opportunities and supporting state revenues.
Tourism statistics show that the number of tourists who visited Wadi Bani Khalid, the Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve, and Jabal Al Akhdar in 2015 represented 16 per cent of the total number of tourists.
There are opportunities for increasing traffic to these sites and making a larger contribution to the Sultanate’s GDP through tourism, increasing state revenue, and reducing costs of maintenance and protection of these sites.
These initiatives aim at entrusting the management of nature reserves and sites to private investors in accordance with a specific regulatory framework aimed at turning these sites into main tourist attractions.
The initiative identified two pilot project sites at The Qurm Nature Reserve, and the Qurm Natural Park as a complementary site.
This will be the first project among the representative pilot projects. Qurm Reserve was proclaimed a nature reserve in 1975 due to its biodiversity.
The second project entails setting up a geological park in Al Wusta, given its natural biodiversity and geological diversity.
This initiative aims to attract 540,000 visitors to the two sites by 2020 and create 190 jobs, most of which are expected to go to Omanis.
The first project entails designating the Qurm Nature Reserve and Qurm Park as a natural tourist site and includes activities such as bird-watching and hunting, health activities such as natural treatments and yoga classes, and recreational and educational activities aimed at children.
The Neoglacial Park in Al Wusta will include a number of geological activities, such as geological education tracks, and activities related to cultural, social and environmental heritage.
The objective of these pilot projects is to serve as models for other environmental and natural initiatives such as the Wadi Dayqah Dam and Al Saleel Nature Reserve.
MECA said environmental permit for large projects can be obtained in 30 days if all conditions stipulated by the ministry are complied with.
Vinod Nair
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