As part of its firm commitment to supporting national initiatives and enhancing economic and social development across the various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, Bank Muscat, the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate, is participating in supporting the Al Dhahirah Tourism Festival, which runs from 8 January to 6 February 2026. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of His Excellency Najeeb bin Ali Al Rawas, Governor of Al Dhahirah, in the presence of Khalaf bin Rashid Al Kalbani, Regional Manager of Bank Muscat in North Al Batinah Governorate, and a number of Officials and audience.
The event witnessed a wide participation from local institutions, companies, and entrepreneurs, and an expected large public turnout reflecting the importance of the festival and its growing stature on Oman’s tourism events map.
Al Dhahirah Tourism Festival is considered one of the most prominent seasonal events contributing to the revitalization of tourism and commercial activity in the governorate. It serves as a dynamic platform for attracting visitors from within and outside the governorate, promoting domestic tourism, and highlighting the natural, heritage, and cultural assets of Al Dhahirah Governorate. The previous edition of the festival witnessed remarkable turnout, with visitor numbers exceeding 300,000, reflecting the continued success the festival achieves year after year.
This year’s festival features the participation of 150 local companies from various sectors, in addition to more than 120 home-based business projects from the governorate. This step reflects the growing focus on supporting small and medium enterprises and empowering entrepreneurs, while providing direct marketing opportunities to showcase national products and enhance the contribution of these segments to the local economic cycle.
The festival includes a diverse programme of entertainment and cultural activities targeting all segments of society. These activities feature international shows, fireworks display, a children’s village, a heritage village, shopping exhibitions, children’s games, musical performances, racing shows, circus performances, camel races, and entertainment carnivals, aiming to deliver an integrated experience that combines entertainment, culture, and shopping in an attractive, family-friendly environment.
Bank Muscat’s participation in supporting Al Dhahirah Tourism Festival stems from its belief in the importance of national events in stimulating economic and tourism sectors, creating seasonal employment opportunities, boosting commercial activity, and strengthening community engagement. Such events also contribute to promoting the cultural and heritage identity of Oman’s governorates. This support aligns with the Bank’s corporate social responsibility strategy, which focuses on backing initiatives that contribute to sustainable development, enhance quality of life, and empower local communities through partnerships with government and private sector entities, generating long-term positive impact on society and the economy.
Through this participation, the Bank reaffirms its continued commitment to fulfilling its role as an active development partner and supporting initiatives that contribute to achieving the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, particularly in economic diversification, promoting domestic tourism, supporting entrepreneurship, and empowering national talent, reflecting its dedication to contributing to the comprehensive development journey witnessed by the Sultanate of Oman.
