The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is working on developing and regulating the adventure tourism product as one of the fastest growing types of tourism in the world, attracting more people annually to discover, adventure and enjoy what nature has shaped and its diversity, as well as encouraging eco-tourism and sustainable practices.
Statistics issued by the World Tourism Organization indicate that the global adventure tourism market size reached 282.1 billion dollars in 2021 and is expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate of 15.2 percent from 2022 to 2030.
Daoud bin Sulaiman Al Rashidi, Director of the Product Development and Tourism Experiences Department, explained that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism’s interest in developing the adventure tourism product comes due to the increasing growth in the practice of adventure tourism activities globally and in the Sultanate of Oman in particular. The Ministry has been working with various partners in organizing adventure tourism activities through Research and study of the best practices that can be benefited from and applied in the Sultanate of Oman.
He said that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, in accordance with the action plan, developed adventure tourism and focused on developing scenarios for risk management and safety in the practice of adventure tourism activities in order to provide security and safety requirements for workers and participants in adventure activities by preparing a legal and regulatory framework for adventure tourism activity in the Sultanate to ensure the application of regulations And security and safety standards by those who engage in this type of tourism activities and to benefit from the experience and the New Zealand model in organizing and managing adventure tourism activity, which is one of the best models in applying security and safety standards in adventure tourism activities.
He added that in order to achieve these goals, the Adventure Tourism Development Program focused on developing several main elements, namely the legislative and regulatory framework of documents for adventure activities, applying the concept of auditing for security and safety, creating training programs on adventure activities, including rescue and ambulance, and raising awareness of security and safety requirements during adventure activities. Encouraging projects related to adventure tourism activities.
He pointed out that the Ministries of Defense, Heritage and Tourism signed, last July, a cooperation agreement in the fields of auditing and training in adventure activities aimed at encouraging and strengthening prospects for joint cooperation between the two parties to benefit from the expertise owned by the Adventure Training Center of the Royal Omani Army in the field of auditing standards for compliance with requirements. Security, safety and a mechanism for organizing and developing adventure activities.
In the context of completing the readiness of the security and safety system, Al-Rashidi adds that there are a number of conditions and controls that are being worked on by this ministry, which were referred to by Ministerial Resolution No. 124 / 2021, in order to continue organizing adventure tourism activities, including working to find the legal and regulatory framework for operators. Executing projects related to adventure tourism, in addition to setting controls for mountain hiking, camping and other adventure-related activities.
Regarding the importance of obtaining a certificate for auditing the security and safety requirements for adventure activities, Al-Rashidi indicated under Ministerial Resolution No. 124/2020, which specified the need for the licensee (travel and tourism offices) to organize tours that wish to specialize in one of the (wild) adventure activities that It is licensed by the Ministry to obtain the advantage of engaging in adventure activities after obtaining the audit certificate (compliance with security and safety requirements), and paying the prescribed fees.
With regard to projects related to adventure tourism, Daoud Al-Rashidi said that the ministry seeks to encourage the private sector to invest in adventure tourism projects of all kinds. He added that one of the most important projects that will open in the coming year is the zipline in Musandam Governorate as a first stage of the project as a whole. The Ministry also cooperated with some youth teams in maintaining the railway track for climbing in Jebel Shams, in addition to launching a new tourism product for some adventure activities for Al-Shareja village in Jabal Al-Akhdar through Al Qimma Company, a youth company, and there are plans for cooperation to develop the project in the future.
It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has funded a number of projects in cooperation with the Omran Group towards developing a number of mountain tracks and mountain bikes in the Musandam Governorate and providing them with information and guidance panels, in addition to mini-oases projects in Wadi Bani Awf in the Wilayat of Rustaq to provide services to visitors of the best valleys in the Sultanate of Oman to practice crossing activity Canyon canyons and mountain climbing. Work is also underway to identify and evaluate natural sites in which adventure activities of all kinds can be practiced, such as mountain hiking, caves, valleys, and others related to it, to know the necessary needs for maintenance and service aspects in order to ensure the protection and safety of adventurers and enjoy the passion for adventure in a safe manner, with identification of response points. Quick access to the concerned authorities, easy access to those sites, expressing technical opinion on the sites of adventure activities in terms of capacity, and identifying and selecting emergency exits on all approved mountain paths to facilitate the arrival of teamsMountain rescue, ambulance and police aviation for emergencies, assessment of potential risks, providing feedback on security and safety aspects of trails, mountain adventures or other activities associated with adventure tourism.
In an effort to expand the exchange of experiences and viewpoints in promoting adventure tourism and making the most of the best practices, especially those adopted by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and related global models, the Ministry is currently working with its partners in the Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) in organizing the Oman Tourism Forum in its first edition under the title Adventure tourism to be held on 27-28 September at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.
