Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has launched its first tourist hot air balloon as part of the Oman Balloons project in Cappadocia, Republic of Turkey, during the project's promotional phase.
This initiative is part of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism's efforts to develop and diversify the tourism product, while also solidifying Oman's status as a distinctive regional and international destination.
The initiative seeks to bring foreign skills in hot air balloon tourism and localize it in Oman, hence expanding tourist opportunities and opening up new options for both local and foreign visitors. It also coincides with the ministry's backing for private sector-led tourism projects and strengthens public-private partnerships to help meet tourism development objectives.
Oman Balloon No. 1 will conduct its initial flights over the Sultanate of Oman from the Wilayat of Bidiyah in the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, providing passengers with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see beautiful scenery from above while highlighting Oman's many tourist destinations.
The Civil Aviation Authority in Oman has approved the balloon, which is designed for Omani weather circumstances and can carry up to 20 passengers plus a technical team of a pilot and an assistant.
The Oman Balloons project is one of the qualitative projects supported by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism because to its active contribution in promoting experiential tourism and offering panoramic vistas of tourist locations. This helps to promote Oman's natural and cultural diversity from a new angle, while also bringing a larger range of tourists looking for unique travel experiences.
