Oman's cultural, heritage, and tourism diversity showcased at Expo Osaka 2025
The event was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth, along with the General Commission of Oman Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025.
The one-day event took place at the "Festival Plaza Station" hall in Expo Osaka 2025 and featured a variety of specialised displays, activities, and corners showcasing Oman's rich cultural, heritage, and tourism diversity. The initiative aimed to introduce, promote, and spotlight Oman's unique attractions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Dhofar Khareef season sparks commercial boom across markets and tourist hubs
Muscat: Dhofar Governorate is witnessing a surge in commercial activity across markets and shopping centres during the 2025 Khareef Season, fuelled by a significant influx of visitors drawn to the region's exceptional climate and scenic beauty. This momentum is bolstering the tourism and retail sectors while providing a tangible boost to the national economy. From traditional souqs to modern malls, commercial activities are thriving. Shops offering handicrafts and local delicacies are seeing strong demand, alongside increased footfall at restaurants, cafés, hotels, and various entertainment and tourism facilities. Several small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners told the Oman News Agency that the Khareef Season offers a crucial window for growing sales and expanding operations. They also highlighted the importance of promoting and supporting locally made products to meet visitors' expectations. Nour bint Ali Al Yafei, owner of Bint Al Janoub, shared that her home-based business in incense and perfumery – with over 30 years of experience – has evolved to include women's clothing and high-quality Dhofari products made from natural ingredients. 'We opened our first branch in Salalah in 2020, and a second in the Al Hafa area in 2024 to meet growing demand, especially during the Khareef tourist season, when gifts are in high demand,' she said. Rami bin Muslim Al Kathiri, founder of Dou Chocolate and Flowers, said that his business experiences high footfall during the season due to its diverse offerings – including premium chocolates, fresh flowers, and seasonal gifts. He described the venture as a successful SME model that adapts to tourist seasons and strengthens local commerce. Aqeel bin Alawi Al Marzaa, founder of Makkah Perfumes, explained that his enterprise started with a vision of quality and heritage, drawing on Omani frankincense. Today, it operates over 15 branches across the Sultanate. 'We own a specialised factory for extracting and exporting frankincense oil. Alongside integrated perfume production lines catering to Gulf preferences, we have developed over 150 perfume products,' he noted. He added that tourists show strong interest in locally crafted perfumes for their durability, quality, and authentic aromas. On the culinary front, Tariq bin Salem Al Hosni, owner of Al Hosni Omani Sweets, said his decades-old brand has expanded to over 10 branches within Oman and several more across the GCC. He observed that tourists are eager to try and learn how to prepare traditional Omani sweets. 'Our sweets reflect true Omani hospitality and are increasingly sought-after during tourist seasons,' he said. The business was recognised by the Guinness World Records for producing the largest cake shaped like the Sultanate's map on Oman's 45th National Day. Many tourists and visitors now consider the Dhofar Khareef season a favourite destination and a key commercial hub. Hilal bin Khalaf Al Sharaqi underlined the role of emerging businesses in reviving the local market by offering products and services that align with the governorate's identity and enhance the tourist experience. He called for greater institutional support to ensure these ventures thrive. Abdullah bin Salem Al Ghaithi praised Hafa Beach Market for its seamless blend of tradition and modernity. 'Perfumes, incense, sweets, and handicrafts fill the area with a wonderful ambience. Light rain makes the shopping experience truly unique,' he said. Majid bin Abdullah Al Shariqi noted the strong demand during Khareef for seasonal clothing, tropical fruits like coconut, papaya, pomegranate, banana, and mango, as well as camping and travel gear. He described the season as a transformative period for the local economy. Abdullah bin Amer Al Eisaei, a tourist from the UAE, highlighted the quality of local products and the well-organised markets in Salalah – especially Al Hafa Beach Market – as key attractions. He praised the transparency in pricing and the presence of regulatory oversight, adding that Dhofar's moderate climate remains its most outstanding feature during this time of year.
Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Souqs, tourism sites abuzz with business activity during Khareef Dhofar 2025
Salalah: Dhofar Governorate is experiencing a boom in commercial activity in traditional markets (souqs), shopping centres and tourism sites during the 2025 Khareef Dhofar (monsoon) season. The business activity is driven by a large influx of visitors to the governorate who wish to enjoy the exceptional monsoon weather. It constitutes direct support to the national economy. Commercial activities range from shopping in traditional souqs and modern malls--with an observable rise in sales of handicrafts and local delicacies--to rising demand for restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, and tourist sites and entertainment facilities. The owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) told Oman News Agency (ONA) that Khareef Dhofar season provides a great opportunity for the growth of sales and the expansion of commercial activity. They underlined the importance of upgrading the quality of national products to meet the expectations visitors.
Times of Oman
6 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Oman gains Ramsar accreditation for Al Wusta Wetlands Reserve
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has received official accreditation from the Ramsar Convention for the inclusion of the Al Wusta Wetlands Reserve on the List of Wetlands of International Importance. This marks the third Omani site to be included in this prestigious list, following the Al Qurm Nature Reserve (2013) and Al Ansab Wetlands (2020). This achievement was announced on the sidelines of the 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention (COP15), held under the theme "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future" in Zimbabwe, which continues until 31 July. This official international recognition represents a culmination of Oman's efforts in biodiversity conservation and its commitment to implementing international environmental standards for protecting fragile ecosystems. It also highlights the reserve's status as one of the most important ecological sites at both regional and global levels. The Al Wusta Wetlands Reserve is distinguished by its rare ecosystems, including mangrove forests (Oman's largest pristine gathering, covering 162 hectares), salt flats, coral reefs, and seagrass beds. It also provides nesting habitats for endangered sea turtles such as the Olive Ridley and Green Turtle. The site accredited under the Ramsar Convention covers approximately 81% of the total area of the Al Wusta Wetlands Reserve, which spans 714,213 hectares, forming a unique ecosystem that combines sensitive natural habitats and rare species. The reserve is classified as the best site in the Middle East for hosting birds during winter, annually receiving over half a million waterbirds. This includes 23 species whose numbers exceed 1% of the total migratory birds between Asia and East Africa, such as flamingos, plovers, and gulls. The reserve also harbors rare and endangered marine species like the Arabian Humpback Whale and dolphins, and supports 80 species of global importance. The reserve has met all nine criteria of the Ramsar Convention. Prominently, it contains rare ecological systems (such as mudflats and salt pans), supports endangered species (like whales and turtles), and serves as a primary source for fish food and reproduction. The reserve is also an eco-tourism destination attracting birdwatching and wildlife enthusiasts, thereby promoting sustainable tourism. It further supports the national economy through environmentally friendly investment projects that adhere to international standards to ensure resource sustainability. The reserve began its role as a center for waterbird studies in the 1980s and was officially declared a Ramsar site by the Environment Agency in November 2023.
