Agreement inked to fund establishment of visitor centre at Qalhat ancient city

Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the Development Foundation of Oman Liquefied Natural Gas Company Oman LNG today signed a financing agreement worth RO 3 million for the establishment of a visitor center at the ancient city of Qalhat. This initiative falls within the ministry’s efforts to develop UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The project, spanning an area of 5,000 square meters, will include two museum halls to display archaeological artifacts discovered at the site. The center’s facilities will feature 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 vehicle parking.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the ministry by Salem Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, while Dr. Amer Nasser Al Mata’ani, CEO of Oman LNG Development Foundation, signed on behalf of the company.

The historical city of Qalhat is one of Oman’s oldest cities and ports, boasting a strategic location overlooking the Sea of Oman. This made its ancient harbor a hub for trading ships, a crossroads of diverse cultures, and a maritime trade link with India, Yemen, and other regions of the world. It also served as a center 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 significant addition to Qalhat city, the Wilayat of Sur, and the South A’Sharqiyah Governorate as a whole.

Meanwhile, Eng. Ismail Sulaiman Al Sawafi, General Manager of Social Responsibility and Public Relations at Oman LNG, explained that the project will enhance the city’s appeal as a heritage and tourist destination at the national, regional, and international levels. It will also generate direct employment opportunities and promote the sale of local products.

It is worth mentioning that the ancient city of Qalhat was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2018, underscoring the historical significance of this landmark.