Nature and wildlife reserves in Oman are expected to lead private investments in tourism industry as private investors have submitted applications for the development of two key reserves in the sultanate, said a report.

According to a report in Oman Daily Observer, the ministry has received multiple investment applications, including one offer by a Kuwait investor to develop the Al Saleel Wildlife Reserve in the Wilayat of Al Kamil W’al Wafi in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate.

The other reserve gaining interest is the Rock Garden in Duqm in Al Wusta Governorate.

The ministry seeks to transform the two sites into tourist spots as part of major tourism investment projects, said Ahmed bin Nasser al Mehrzi, Minister of Tourism.

The Rock Garden is located about 550 km from Muscat, and is accessible via route 33 to route 32, through the town of Sinaw. It is a 3-square kilometre area of limestone and sandstone rocks which are formed in an underground freshwater aquifer over 46 million years ago.

According to the Minerals Section of the Department of Commerce and Industry, the Rock Garden is one of the top 25 sites of geological scientific importance in the entire Sultanate of Oman. Its rock formations are of exceptional scenic beauty and provide visitors with an impressive insight of the geological and geomorphological wonders of our planet.