Desert adventure fest in N Sharqiyah starts today

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) will organise an event called Desert Adventure Festival in Bidiyah in North Sharqiyah starting Sunday as part of its efforts to stimulate tourism in the sultanate. The festival will run until February 3.

An official at MHT, said, “The six-day festival includes many activities - cultural, sports, entertainment and heritage. The festival aims to attract tourists and desert adventure enthusiasts to Sharqiyah Sands.”

The festival activities include entertainment for children, hot air balloon rides, paragliding, laser shows and endurance challenges organised by Omani Automobile Association and Bidiyah Endurance Racing Club.

The official reiterated that the festival’s aim is to revitalise winter tourism in North Sharqiyah in general and the wilayat of Bidiyah in particular, and encourage people to visit Sharqiyah Sands and enjoy the adventure activities it has to offer.

The ministry will also hold the first edition of Omani Maritime Heritage Festival in Sur, South Sharqiyah, from February 3 to 19. “The festival will highlight the role of the wilayat, in the past and present, as a commercial and historical centre,” the official said.

The festival will present a maritime heritage village, an Omani food carnival, and activities simulating the historical and traditional sea voyages of Omani ships.

Additionally, the ministry will organise the annual festival of the Governorate of Dakhliyah from February 23 to March 4, in cooperation with the Governor’s Office. The festival will include several cultural, heritage, entertainment and adventure activities, and present a number of tourism experiences unique to the governorate.