Khasab: The Musandam Governor's Office announced details for the first-ever "Musandam International Diving Festival" at a press conference held in Khasab. This event is scheduled to occur from August 25 to 28, 2025, and aims to bolster eco-tourism and marine tourism in the region by drawing divers, tourists, and investors from around the globe.

According to Oman News Agency, the festival will host a variety of activities and competitions throughout Khasab, with additional events in Kumzar and Dibba. Key events include a deep-sea cleanup campaign, a "Free Diving Champion" challenge, an underwater photography competition, a kayak race featuring traditional Omani "Qadah-Bassah," and a contest for the best marine life video.

In addition to these competitive events, the festival will feature an exhibition showcasing photos and videos from Musandam's marine depths, group diving trips to prominent sites, short film screenings on marine life, and a maritime souq offering diving gear, local seafood, and handicrafts. A diving conference will also be held to discuss the establishment of an Omani Diving Federation.

The festival is set to provide specialized workshops and seminars, such as a coral reef conservation session, a symposium on "The Future of Diving in the Gulf," a PADI-certified training workshop, introductory sessions on diving tourism investment opportunities, and beginner diving lessons.

Sayyid Ibrahim Said Al Busaidi, the Governor of Musandam, emphasized that the festival, organized in collaboration with Musandam Exploration Diving Center, will act as a global hub for professional divers, adventure seekers, marine sports athletes, media figures, diving companies, equipment suppliers, eco-tourists, and local visitors.

He stated that the event aims to establish Musandam as a leading diving destination, emphasize the governorate's diverse marine biodiversity, bolster local tourism centers and diving initiatives, and create economic prospects for local communities. He further noted that Musandam's waters, where the Arabian Gulf meets the Indian Ocean, possess a rich marine ecosystem suitable for divers of all skill levels.

Al Busaidi highlighted that diving tourism is expected to drive economic growth by attracting affluent tourists seeking unique natural experiences, enhance infrastructure development, such as dive centers, hotels, restaurants, and transport services, and generate employment in diving instruction, boat operations, hospitality, and marine conservation.