Khamis Al Anbouri

Sea Oman is focused on promoting the Dimaniyat Islands as a unique destination while emphasizing environmental protection, supporting local SMEs, and advocating for eco-friendly practices.

What sets Sea Oman apart from the variety of experiences and activities it provides?

What makes Sea Oman unique is that we always promote the Dimaniyat Islands as a unique destination. They are a natural reserve consisting of nine islands along the coast, with numerous diving spots. The islands also host diverse birdlife not found on the mainland. At Sea Oman, we prioritize promoting and protecting the environment, ensuring the islands remain unharmed and intact. We also assist the Ministry of Environment in this regard. We feel responsible for educating and supporting nearby SMEs, aiming to operate at an internationally competitive standard. We maintain the highest service standards and never compromise on quality. We provide reusable water bottles to customers to minimize plastic use and advise on eco-friendly sunscreen to protect sea life. We are actively working on offering environmentally safe sunscreens to mitigate the damage caused by traditional options. We prioritize educating both our team and customers on environmental conservation.

Does Sea Oman engage in any partnerships with environmental organizations regarding sustainability?

We recently won a Guinness world record for creating an environmental message made from 34,000 water bottles, breaking the previous record of 12,000. It was a joint venture with Champion School. Protect Earth was launched in Oman through our project, Project Earthling, and involved many children who helped create the message. We always promote sailing more because we prioritize environmental conservation. You will never see a jet ski at Sea Oman because we believe it is harmful to the environment and marine life. Instead, we advocate for sailing, which fosters leadership, communication, critical thinking, and teamwork.

What are your plans to promote sports tourism in Oman?

We are actively promoting and supporting sports tourism. For example, the Muscat Marathon, organized by Oman Sail, was introduced in 2019. We also brought the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) to the mountains, offering running and hiking experiences. This international event spurred local interest, leading to the creation of the Himam organization by residents of the Jebel Akhdara area. They now organize events annually, attracting both local and international participants. Similarly, the Muscat Marathon has reached a level where we are transitioning its management to an SME. We develop ideas and then hand them over to suitable individuals for independent management. Additionally, we have initiated programs such as Sail Free to promote water sports accessibility, allowing individuals with disabilities to sail competitively. Hosting an award championship in Oman further encourages participation. Our efforts have made Oman the preferred training destination for athletes, including those with disabilities, seeking year-round training opportunities due to favorable weather conditions compared to Europe.

Do you also promote Oman as a recreational water facility?

We have a team member participating in three dive expeditions—in France, Germany, and the UK. Her goal is to promote diving in Oman, highlighting its unique features compared to other destinations. We offer unique experiences such as Liveaboard diving, where guests can sleep on boats near islands. These expeditions aim to attract tourists from various markets, including China and Europe. We also promote Musandam as a destination, offering customized trips for customers.

How would you characterize the current state of tourism in Oman, and what is your outlook for the sector?

In Oman, we faced some challenges during COVID-19; however, in 2024, we are observing a quicker recovery. We particularly notice an increase in visitors from European countries, especially Germany, France, and the UK. Despite some struggles over the last two and a half years due to COVID, we are now experiencing improvements, especially this winter. Many tourists are heading straight to the Dimaniyat Islands. The positive aspect is that the tourism sector is growing instead of declining. We are eager to welcome more visitors to Oman. It is a beautiful place that deserves to be discovered by people from various backgrounds. It is a place where you can feel comfortable and enjoy your time.