TOURISM

Tourism in Oman has grown considerably recently, and it is expected to be one of the largest industries in the country. The World Travel & Tourism Council stated that Oman is the fastest growing tourism destination in the Middle East.

Oman has one of the most diverse environments in the Middle East with various tourist attractions and is particularly well known for adventure and cultural tourism.Muscat, the capital of Oman, was named the second best city to visit in the world in 2012 by the travel guide publisher Lonely planet.Muscat also was chosen as the Capital of Arab Tourism of 2012.

World Heritage Sites

UNESCO’S international heritage organisation lists four elements of cultural significance in Oman.

BAHLA FORT:
Part of the capital of the NABHANI DYNASTY, who dominated Oman and prospered in the Arabian Peninsula during the late Middle Ages.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES:

The graves at Al-Ayn in Oman

Remnants of settlements and necropolises from the 3rd millennium BCE. The necropolis of Bat reflects the funeral practices of the early Bronze Age.

LAND OF FRANKINCENSE:

Frankincense trees in DHOFAR in southern Oman

Various sites were important in the production and distribution of frankincense, which was once a sought-after item of luxury in antiquity, including the ancient ports of Al-Baleed, and the caravan oases of Shisr and Wadi Dawkah.

FALAJ IRRIGATION SYSTEMS:

Five FALAJIS were inscribed in 2006 to represent an irrigation method dating back to at least 500 CE, and still used in most Omani towns and villages, that distributes water through gravity.