It is an important factor for developing the tourism sector, as it significantly attracts tourists looking for exceptional experiences to explore the diverse marine life on the coasts of the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Dimaniyat Islands, Bandar Al-Khiran area and other tourist sites.
Captain Majid bin Saif Al Barhi, Director General of Marine Affairs at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said that yacht tourism is one of the most prominent attractions in marine tourism, as it provides an opportunity to explore the Omani coasts and enjoy watching wildlife, geological formations and marine life in its various forms.
Al Barhi added that the Muscat Governorate is witnessing a significant increase in this type of tourism, as the number of tourist yachts in Muscat Governorate has reached about 500, which reflects the growth of this sector, due to the clean beaches and the availability of modern marinas in the governorate.
Currently there are 6 marinas and more modern marinas are to be established, noting that the General Directorate of Marine Affairs is constantly monitoring trips to ensure the safety of users, especially during peak seasons.
It also plans to develop the sector by using clean energy tourist yacht technologies and improving the level of beaches to meet the needs of tourists, as it is studying a project to use clean energy on tourist yachts, such as using solar panels and others.
Mohammed bin Ahmed, the owner of one of the tourist yachts, said that the marine tourism sector has recently witnessed an increase in the number of tourists, thanks to the picturesque nature enjoyed by the Sultanate of Oman, in addition to the government’s interest in developing the marine infrastructure that facilitates tourism via yachts.
“The most prominent destinations preferred by tourists via yachts in Muscat Governorate are Bandar Al Khairan, Al Seef, Yiti coasts and the Daymaniyat Islands Reserve. These trips are accompanied by a number of events and activities such as diving, which is a unique experience to watch marine wildlife such as watching dolphins in addition to rowing boats and fishing trips, our services also include the presence of professional crews, special meals, and various recreational activities, which ensures a luxurious experience for tourists,” he added.
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology seeks to develop the sector by improving the infrastructure, providing innovative services, and adopting sustainable environmental practices, which contributes to supporting ecotourism and preserving nature.
