Zaree makes laudable progress in Omani lives

By Kabeer Yousuf -

Zaree, the Oman Tourism Ministry’s Khasab-based micro-business programme aiming at community development, has been scaling major heights ever since it was launched last year.

Designed, conceptualised and supported by Omran, Zaree is an income generating CSR project that revolves around a group of skilled women from the wilayat selling tour packages to visitors. Zaree offers tourists the opportunity to experience authentic Omani hospitality by demonstrating local traditions and values through a variety of enjoyable and engaging activities. With Omran’s support, Zaree has become part of the overarching vision to provide visitors with an authentic tourism product that perfectly expresses the heart and charm of the Omani people while delivering economic value to local communities and remaining sustainable. And their whole-hearted support and hardwork has been truly paid off.

The latest in the series is the first place in the Entrepreneurship Award category as part of the recent Al Roya Youth Awards. The award was received by Fauziya al Sharqi, Head of Public Relations at Zaree Project at a ceremony held at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel under the auspices of Khalid bin Omar al Marhoon, Minister of Civil Services.

“To be singled out by the judges for this coveted Youth Business Excellence Award is truly an honour for us especially in light of all the other commendable enterprises we competed against”, Iman Al Salti, Zaree Team Leader said.

In its first year, the team Zaree was able to successfully showcase its bright and rich culture to more than 8,000 tourists on board 24 cruise ships visiting Khasab, and generated income to sustain a good standard of living for the members and they are truly starting to change the perception towards women’s employability in Khasab.

Zaree is conventionally known as ‘even threads made of fine gold and silver’ woven into fabrics to create intricate patterns, commonly used in Omani garments. The use of zaree in traditional garments reflects the country’s rich customs and heritage linking it directly to the goals of the project which is to promote cultural exchange.

The Zaree programme is the brain child of the Ministry of Tourism and Omran, Oman’s leading tourism-related developer, hospitality manager and investment company, as part of its plans to further promote Khasab as an ideal destination for short breaks and to highlight its status as a destination that offers authentic and cultural experiences. Zaree operates from a dedicated room inside the historic Khasab Castle, a picturesque stronghold situated on the inner cove of Khasab Bay in Wilayat Khasab. Following the castle’s restoration with new interactive displays for learning about the region’s cultural heritage and environment, the castle was recently awarded ‘Best International Museum Award’ by the UK Museums’ Association.

On May 29, this year, the team of women-only Zaree programme marked the peak tourism season by participating in a training workshop for the future and showcasing their talents and services to the regional market at the Arabian Travel Market 2013.

Zaree has also won the ‘Women Empowerment’ award at the third Asia’s Best CSR Practices Awards held in Singapore. The award was received on behalf of Omran by Aisha Sahar Wahid al Kharusi, deputy consul general at the Consulate General of the Sultanate of Oman in Singapore.

In another milestone event, Sharakah, a company to support the development of small and medium enterprises in the Sultanate, had conducted a workshop for the Zaree team on ‘Dynamic Entrepreneurship’ which included outlining a five year business continuity strategy and plan for the programme. The team Zaree has also participated in several business and tourism events locally and regionally including an SME Exhibition in Musandam.

With the busy tourist season in Khasab starting, the Zaree Team are set to welcome many repeat cruises who have already booked their services from last season. Ministry of Tourism statistics have showed that an average of 47 cruise ships stop in Khasab Port during the peak tourism season, between November and April, attracting many visitors on a yearly basis.

Zaree makes laudable progress in Omani lives