The activities of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Tourism Festival kicked off on Tuesday. The festival is organised by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in cooperation with the Office of Governor of Al Dakhiliyah, Wali's Office at Al Jabal Al Akhdhar and 'Oman Horseback Team'.
The five-day festival started off with a mountain parade on horseback, which began from Alila Jabal Akhdhar. The cavalcade passed through the Municipal Park and proceeded along mountain passages on wards till camping sites. The 50-km march was conducted in two stages by 17 horse riders from Oman and abroad.
Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed al Busaidy, Acting Wali of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, who was the chief guest at the opening ceremony, said that this is the first tourism event of its kind and appreciated the efforts of all those involved in organising this event. He hoped that it would become an annual feature peculiar to the Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar.
Speaking on the occasion, Haitham bin Mohammed al Ghassani, Director-General of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said that Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Tourism Festival is a link in a series of activities being implemented by the ministry this year. “These festivals aim at enriching tourist destinations and highlighting the domestic content, including key tourist landmarks in the Sultanate of Oman,” said Al Ghassani.
Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Tourism Festival comprises a diverse set of entertainment and tourism programmes and activities appealing to young people and adults. It showcases the unique tourism features of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar and the experiences that a visitor could enjoy. Al Ghassani added that the event explores promotional aspects and displays innovative initiatives to motivate domestic tourism and attract different segments of visitors.
A display of the 'beauty and the beast' horse shows, and theatre for children and recreational activities for the entire family are lined up to welcome tourists from across the region and beyond.
"A kaleidoscopic view of the beauty of the mountain that is famous for its labyrinth of wadis and terraced orchards are on display during the 5-day festival," Mohammed al Araimi, Head of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said.
The activities of special significance in the festival include promotion of pomegranate season and its importance to the local community. The festival will see active participation of both public and private sectors.
Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Tourism Festival is held by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism — in cooperation with government and private establishments — to stimulate tourism development in line with Oman Vision 2040 goals. These include enhancing social welfare and bringing about balanced economic development in the country’s governorates. The festival site is located at a height of 3,000 metres above sea level.
Al Jabal Akhdhar, also known as the Green Mountain, is one of the highest mountains with cool and healthy climate that gives an escapade from the scorching heat around.
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