SALALAH — A comprehensive national initiative celebrating traditional Sultanate craftsmanship officially opened on Monday evening in Dhofar Governorate, designed to preserve historic trades while leveraging southern Oman’s thriving seasonal tourism sector.
The Omani Crafts Forum, running under the theme “Identity and Extension” at Salalah’s historic Al Hafa Market through August 22, brings together regional master artisans, commercial craft enterprises, and specialized material suppliers.
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism alongside the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), in partnership with the Dhofar Municipality and the Office of the Governor of Dhofar, the event was formally inaugurated by Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar, alongside senior institutional leaders.
Positioned as a central feature of the Khareef Dhofar Autumn Season 2026 program, the initiative serves as an essential bridge connecting ancient cultural heritage with contemporary market needs.
Organizers view the gathering as a vital mechanism to foster youth entrepreneurship and empower small business owners, directly supporting the long-term economic diversification objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
The Al Hafa Market venue incorporates interactive workshop areas, museum-grade heritage displays, and dedicated spaces housing specialized tool suppliers.
Attendees can observe artisans performing live craft techniques, participate in hands-on production sessions, and explore purpose-built environmental replicas that recreate traditional historical settings found throughout the Sultanate.
Highlighting the strategic significance of the gathering, Engineer Ibrahim bin Saeed Al Kharousi, Undersecretary for Heritage at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, explained that “Identity” reflects the country’s rich historical roots, whereas “Extension” signifies evolving inherited practices into viable future industries.
He emphasized that hosting the exhibition during the peak tourist season gives Omani craftspeople unprecedented commercial visibility, allowing them to showcase authentic regional products to diverse local and international audiences.
By facilitating direct skill transfer from veteran master craftspeople to emerging designers, the forum aims to safeguard ancestral techniques, inspire innovative product design, and establish a resilient economic foundation for Oman’s creative industries.
