Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, as well as the Development Foundation of Oman Liquefied Natural Gas Company Oman LNG, signed a funding agreement for RO 3 million today to build a visitor center in the historic city of Qalhat. This effort is part of the ministry's broader goal to expand UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The project, which covers 5,000 square meters, will have two museum halls for showcasing archaeological artifacts discovered on the property. The center's amenities will include administrative offices, a gift shop, a café, an outdoor events plaza, internal pathways connecting the visitor center to the ancient city, shaded seating areas, and automobile parking.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the ministry by Salem Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, and on behalf of the company by Dr. Amer Nasser Al Mata’ani, CEO of the Oman LNG Development Foundation.
Qalhat, Oman’s oldest city and port, has a unique position overlooking the Sea of Oman. This turned its ancient harbor into a hub for trading ships, a crossroads of several cultures, and a maritime commercial connection with India, Yemen, and other parts of the world. It also served as a hub for exporting Arabian horses to India.
Khalifa Mubarak Al Farsi, Director of the Qalhat Archaeological Site Department, stated that the visitor center project represents a new cultural legacy and a substantial addition to Qalhat City, the Wilayat of Sur, and the South A'Sharqiyah Governorate as a whole.
Meanwhile, Eng. Ismail Sulaiman Al Sawafi, Oman LNG's General Manager of Social Responsibility and Public Relations, stated that the project will boost the city's attractiveness as a heritage and tourist destination on a national, regional, and international scale. It will also create direct job chances and boost the sales of local products.
It is important noting that the ancient city of Qalhat was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2018, highlighting the historical value of this site.
