(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat- Oman needs more entertainment options for families and tourists to enjoy throughout the year, experts and residents based in Muscat and Salalah have said.
And the call for more options has been led by H E Sheikh Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, chairman of Majlis A'Shura. During his visit to Muscat Festival in Amerat Park, H E Sheikh Maawali, said, 'It is very important to organise more such festivals in different governorates of the sultanate. Festivals organised from time to time provide more entertainment options for families and children.'
He added that Oman is a country of tolerance and tourists from across the world visit the country. 'The festival promotes domestic tourism as it was held during school holidays. It is the best time for families from different governorates to travel. It is an opportunity for young people to learn about the heritage of the country.'
H E Sheikh Maawali added that the festival supports small and medium enterprises, hotels and hotel apartments in generating business.
Muscat Daily
spoke to few people and they said that they would prefer to stay in Oman during weekends and holidays if more entertainment options are available. 'There are currently not many places where the whole family can go for entertainment. It will be a boost to Oman's tourism if theme parks are established. Also, the available entertainment facilities in all parks are limited and as the city is growing, there should be a serious thought to bring in more fun and entertainment options for people of all age groups. Otherwise, we will keep going abroad during holidays,' Nabila al Naamani, a bank employee, said.
Some say that they are bored with same parks and mall activities which are the only options at the moment. 'Oman in general and Muscat in particular need more entertainment activities for people.
'Till now, Muscat Festival and Salalah Tourism Festival are the only time of the year when we get to enjoy. The rest of the year we are left with nothing to do. Even though the parks and malls are nice, many of us seem to get bored doing the same thing every now and then,' said Mohammad Awadh, a private sector employee based in Muscat.
Marhoon Said al Amri, director general of tourism in Dhofar said that the country needs a lot of events to promote tourism movement, provide entertainment options for families and support small and medium enterprises in boosting business activities.
'The sultanate can organise many festivals in places such as Sohar, Duqm, Sur and Nizwa from October to April every year. For example, the events can be as diverse as maritime, desert as well as agricultural festivals. Festivals stimulate business activities.'
Carlota Alvaro, assistant sales director at Orascom Hotels Management which manages Juweira Boutique Hotel and Fanar Hotel in Salalah, said, 'We are glad to say that our hotel is a good example as families come and have fun throughout the year.
'I feel that more family activities are required in Oman. Also, in order to attract tourists from other countries, authorities need to relax visas. Apart from Salalah Tourism Festival, there are no other major activities throughout the year in Salalah.'
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