Bidiyah: The Wilayat of Bidiyah in the Governorate of North A’Sharqiyah is currently experiencing a vibrant surge in tourist activity during its winter tourism season, which commenced in October and extends through the end of March annually. The wilayat is attracting a significant influx of domestic and international visitors seeking to enjoy its seasonal climate and the diverse array of accompanying events and activities, with a notable peak in attendance during weekends.
According to Oman News Agency, Zubaida bint Salim Al Shaithani, the Official Spokesperson for the North A’Sharqiyah Governorate, stated: “The Wilayat of Bidiyah specifically, and the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate broadly, are witnessing robust tourist traffic during the winter tourism season, which runs annually from October until March of the following year. Bidiyah, in particular, sees active visitation as tourists and their families converge from various governorates within the Sultanate of Oman and from abroad to experience the unique offerings of the wilayat during this distinctive season.”
She emphasized that this movement substantially enriches the tourism sector and stimulates economic and commercial activity within the wilayat, especially on weekends which see a major influx of visitors partaking in the atmosphere, scheduled events, and recreational activities such as camping, trekking across sand dunes, stargazing, as well as organized paragliding, sand biking, and sandboarding events.
She added that the launch of the tourism season in the Wilayat of Bidiyah is preceded by comprehensive preparations and arrangements undertaken by various sectors and technical and executive committees, overseen by the North A’Sharqiyah Governor’s Office. Numerous government entities are involved in seasonal readiness, each according to its mandate, to ensure a distinguished winter season that attracts visitors and sustains tourist momentum for over six months, supported by a continuous schedule of sports, cultural, and social events and activities. This effort is significantly bolstered by the event committees in the wilayat, operating under the supervision of the Bidiyah Wali’s Office, whose members contribute to activating institutional roles and effectively channelling the tourist movement to ensure the success and continuity of all events.
Regarding the highlights of the winter tourism season in Bidiyah, Zubaida clarified that the season features numerous intermittent events designed to attract visitors with their exciting and competitive atmosphere. Among the most prominent events is the second edition of the Bidiyah Car Challenge Carnival 2025, scheduled from 19 to 29 November, organized by the Bidiyah Car Racing Club to coincide with the Sultanate of Oman’s National Day celebrations. Furthermore, the eleventh edition of the Oman Desert Marathon will take place from 10 to 14 January 2026, organized by the Oman Desert Marathon Committee. The competitions will be hosted across the golden sands, featuring international participation following the marathon’s global recognition and its accreditation by the worldwide organization “SheRACES”. The race will offer runners an opportunity to experience adventure amidst Oman’s unique desert landscapes while enjoying its rich culture and world-renowned hospitality.
Additional events accompanying the winter season in Bidiyah this year include the ‘Ardhah Camel Races, organized by the wilayat’s ‘Ardhah Camel Racing Committee with extensive participation from camel owners across several governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. Throughout the season, these events will comprise 22 rounds and stages of the ‘Ardhah Run and the ‘Zamat’ race competitions, distributed across the wilayat’s various camel racing tracks and arenas. The season’s calendar is further enriched by numerous other sports, cultural, social, and recreational activities, alongside scheduled poetic and musical evenings held at specified times throughout the winter period.
It is noteworthy that the wilayats of the North A’Sharqiyah Governorate are witnessing substantial demand from domestic and international visitors and tourists drawn to their appealing ambiance and diverse tourist sites. The governorate is equipped with more than 50 licensed hotel establishments ready to accommodate guests, including hotels, hotel apartments, eco-lodges, guesthouses, and tourist camps, in addition to rest houses. Collectively, these establishments offer over 1,100 rooms. The governorate also benefits from the services of approximately 44 travel and tourism offices across its wilayats, alongside about 38 licensed tour operator offices authorized by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.