MoU between Sultanate of Oman and Zanzibar to develop joint cooperation in heritage preservation and tourism development

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman and Zanzibar today signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at developing joint cooperation in heritage preservation and tourism development, exchanging knowledge and expertise, and supporting tourism promotion and investment opportunities.

The MoU was signed on behalf of the Sultanate of Oman by HE Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said Al Busaidi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, and on the Zanzibari side by HE Dr. Nasra Nasser Omar, Minister of Tourism and Heritage, within the framework of the visit being undertaken by HE Sayyid the Minister of Tourism to Zanzibar to enhance aspects of cooperation in heritage preservation and tourism development and the historical and cultural ties that bring the two sides together.

The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation combining the preservation of historical landmarks and enhancing their presence within the tourism experience, through facilitating and supporting the restoration, maintenance and management of projects related to historical landmarks in Zanzibar, and exchanging information and expertise in museum management, heritage documentation, and preservation and conservation of archaeological holdings.

On the tourism side, the MoU includes supporting promotion, marketing and distinctive tourism experience programmes for both sides, participating in relevant exhibitions and festivals, and facilitating and promoting investment in building and managing hotels, resorts and tourism experiences, opening wider fields for cooperation between the concerned institutions and the private sector.

It also includes exchanging statistics and promotional materials in the fields of heritage and tourism, encouraging training courses, expert visits and scientific research, and exchanging programmes related to specialised conferences, meetings and seminars, supporting capacity building and raising professional practices for both sides.

Areas of cooperation also include coordination within the framework of international organisations concerned with tourism and heritage, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization "UNESCO" and its specialised committees and advisory bodies, and providing the necessary facilities for holding heritage and tourism events.

The signing of the MoU represents a step towards translating the historical ties between the Sultanate of Oman and Zanzibar into practical cooperation paths, contributing to preserving the shared cultural memory, highlighting landmarks and tourism components, and developing experiences that evoke history and enrich the visitor's knowledge of the civilisational heritage of both sides.