Azerbaijan, Oman deepen relations with tourism, heritage initiatives PHOTO

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, visited the Sultanate of Oman at the invitation of the Omani government, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties in tourism and cultural heritage.

Upon her arrival at Muscat International Airport, Aliyeva was welcomed by Azzan bin Qassim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

During the visit, Aliyeva met with Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, where the two officials hailed the long-standing relations of friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Oman. Discussions focused on expanding collaboration in tourism, cultural heritage, and related sectors.

Aliyeva emphasized that such meetings “contribute significantly to the advancement of Azerbaijan-Oman relations,” highlighting Azerbaijan’s rich historical and cultural heritage and the country’s tourism potential across health, eco, cultural, and winter tourism sectors.

She briefed the Omani minister on Azerbaijan’s ongoing efforts to preserve and restore historical monuments, including joint projects with UNESCO, and stressed the importance of sharing expertise with Oman in heritage preservation.

The discussion also covered strategies to increase the flow of tourists between the two countries, establish direct links between tourism organizations and the private sector, implement joint projects, and organize promotional events.

Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi expressed Oman’s eagerness to enhance cooperation with Azerbaijan, noting the value of experience sharing in cultural heritage preservation and sustainable tourism development. Describing Azerbaijan as an attractive destination for Omani travelers, he praised the increasing reciprocal visits and contacts between the two nations.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen people-to-people ties through joint participation in future tourism exhibitions, media and promotional visits, and cultural events, laying the groundwork for a deeper, mutually beneficial partnership.

Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva also visited the National Museum of Oman and the Muttrah Souq in Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman.

Leyla Aliyeva first visited the National Museum of Oman, where she explored various exhibits on display, and received detailed information about their history.

The National Museum of Oman is the Sultanate's flagship institution reflecting the historical and cultural heritage of Oman. The museum, which opened in 2016, showcasing Oman's history from prehistoric times to the present across 14 galleries covering maritime history, arms and armour, Islamic culture, and ethnography, featuring diverse artefacts and temporary exhibits in a modern facility designed for broad cultural understanding and accessibility.

The Museum houses more than 7,000 artefacts and offers digital immersive experiences, state-of-the-art conservation facilities, a UHD cinema, and discovery areas for children. It features an integrated infrastructure for special needs and is the first museum in the Middle East to adopt Arabic Braille script for the visually impaired.

The National Museum of Oman as a key educational hub blending Omani tradition and modern design, showcasing the nation's heritage from prehistory to the present, and serving locals and tourists with inclusive, interactive exhibits that promote cultural pride and understanding.

Leyla Aliyeva then toured the Muttrah Souq, a traditional market, where she engaged with sellers and viewed local goods.

The Muttrah Souq is one of the oldest and most famous markets in the Arab world. It served as a trading hub for goods that came through the Muscat harbor from India, China, Europe, and other Middle Eastern regions for centuries.

The Muttrah souq is still a bustling market place today, with trade in traditional textiles, clothing, jewellery, incense, pipes, pottery, and other handicrafts as well as local produce like fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices.

By Vafa Guliyeva