The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in Oman has unveiled plans for new adventure tourism projects, including cable cars, zip lines, and mountain trails.
Replete with mountains, caves, valleys, deserts, and coastal regions, Oman’s natural diversity already attracts thrill-seeking travelers, and the proposed adventure projects will attract more visitors while boosting the country’s tourism industry and the economy, said the ministry.
Designed to offer travelers more diverse outdoor experiences, projects include a cable car in Oman’s Botanic Garden at Al Khoudh in Muscat and ziplines at Wadi Darbat in Dhofar, a place that’s always popular during Khareef season.
The ministry said that some projects are already in the works with several more to be added before 2025.
The sultanate’s rugged mountain ranges will be developed as part of the plans, with new hiking trails at Wadi Bani Khalid and Wadi Al Arbaeen, destinations known for their natural springs and waterfalls.
In total, 15 mountain trails will be paved, numerous of which will be in the Hajar Mountain range, home to Jebel Shams, Oman’s tallest mountain. This will be in addition to the sultanate’s 53 already approved mountain trails.
On Jebel Akhdar — Oman’s green mountain — a new road is being paved so travelers can easily get to Al Sogara, a remote mountainside village where visitors can get a glimpse into life in Oman in days gone by.
Campsites, changing rooms, cafes, and other tourism facilities are also being considered for construction on existing mountain tracks in Wadi Bani Awf, a destination that flows with spring water all year round.
Caving in Oman is another big attraction for adventure travelers. The county has multiple cave networks and many are already developed for adventure travel. The ministry plans to extend recreational caving facilities and is working to approve select tourism companies for licenses that will allow them to organize caving expeditions and train new guides, in partnership with the Ministry of Defence.
At some of Oman’s existing destinations popular for adventure travel, including the Eastern and Western Al Hajar Mountains, Dhofar, and Musandam, new sites will be evaluated for their suitability for adventure tourism.
“Adventure tourism contributes to boosting economic growth. Oman is ranked among those countries that attract many segments of tourists, including those interested in adventure tourism,” said Yousef Rashid Al Harassi from the ministry in January, when he announced an online service for licensing adventure tour operators in Oman.
The previous month, Oman inaugurated the world’s longest zipline over water. Riders on the zipline will travel 1,800 meters from Jebel Fitt over the coast of the Wilayat of Khasab, reaching speeds of up to 80kph.