Entertaining and educational sight-seeing over the four-day Eid period are among the activities laid out in the 2010 Ramadan and Eid programme of Oman’s Ministry of Tourism.

The programme, which will run until September 9, will see children visiting heritage locations in Oman’s interior region such as the Cultural Village in Bahla, Marah Land, Sawadi Beach, and Wadi Andam.

Family-themed events such as group Iftars, cultural and religious contests such as Quran memorization, and competitions in sports such as soccer and table tennis are also included in the Ramadan and Eid calendar.

“Last year’s Ramadan and Eid agenda was highly successful, so we are making sure that we have the right facilities, amenities and support for local businesses to repeat if not surpass 2009’s results,” said Gamal Sadek, Director, Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Tourism Representative Offices, GCC.

“This season we shall once again fulfill our social responsibilities while supporting Oman’s overall economic growth. We call on the local business community to partner with us in securing a larger number of tourists while showcasing Oman’s unique heritage,” he added.

The Oman government expects such events to accelerate tourism development and exceed the projected 3 per cent share of the tourism sector to the local GDP by the end of Oman’s five-year plan spanning 2011 to 2015.

The World Travel and Tourism Council has predicted that Oman’s tourism sector will post the highest growth in the Middle East and the third-highest in the world in 2010, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service