Sohar Islamic has reinforced its commitment to smart and sustainable tourism by sponsoring the “Smart Passport for Rose Explorer 2026”, an innovative digital initiative aimed at enhancing visitor engagement during the annual rose season in Al Jabal Al Akhdar, located in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate.
Sohar Islamic continues to invest in initiatives that strengthen Oman’s tourism ecosystem while supporting sustainable and experience-driven travel.
The initiative, organised by ELIF Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Innovation, concluded successfully, while the ongoing rose season continues to attract both domestic and international visitors. The project reflects a broader push toward integrating digital solutions into tourism experiences across Oman.
Sohar Islamic Digital Innovation Meets Cultural Tourism
At the core of the initiative is the Smart Passport, an interactive tourism tool designed to guide visitors through key attractions across Al Jabal Al Akhdar. These include rose farms, traditional markets, and local enterprises that form part of the region’s cultural and economic landscape.
The Smart Passport combines digital and printed formats, allowing visitors to scan QR codes at participating locations. Each scan unlocks curated experiences, rewards, and incentives, encouraging travellers to explore more destinations.
The initiative also introduced a gamified tourism approach, enabling visitors to collect digital stamps, earn badges, and participate in prize draws—enhancing engagement and encouraging longer stays.
Boosting Local Economy and Agri-Tourism
The rose season in Al Jabal Al Akhdar is one of Oman’s most distinctive seasonal attractions, with an estimated annual market value of around OMR 210,000. The Smart Passport has further strengthened this ecosystem by connecting tourists directly with local businesses.
Visitors are guided to explore rose farms, distillation units, and enterprises producing rose-based products such as oils and perfumes. This engagement supports local entrepreneurship and increases demand for regionally produced goods.
Industry experts note that Sohar Islamic is playing a key role in advancing smart tourism solutions in the region, particularly by enabling stronger connections between tourists and local communities.
Enhancing Smart Tourism Infrastructure
The initiative leverages advanced technologies to create a seamless tourism experience, including:
- Interactive digital maps
- Real-time visitor tracking systems
- Data analytics dashboards
These tools provide insights into visitor behaviour, enabling improved planning, better resource management, and enhanced visitor satisfaction.
According to Fahad Al Zadjali, Head of Sohar Islamic, the initiative demonstrates how innovation can support tourism growth while contributing to economic diversification.
Aligning with Oman Vision 2040
The Smart Passport initiative aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises tourism development, sustainability, and economic diversification.
By integrating digital tools with cultural heritage, Sohar Islamic supports Oman’s positioning as a modern tourism destination focused on innovation, sustainability, and authentic visitor experiences.
Industry Perspective
The project reflects a growing global trend toward smart tourism solutions. Destinations worldwide are increasingly adopting digital tools to enhance visitor engagement, improve operational efficiency, and create immersive travel experiences.
Experts highlight that Sohar Islamic continues to contribute to this transformation by supporting scalable and technology-driven tourism initiatives.
Outlook for Rose Tourism in Oman
With the rose season ongoing, Al Jabal Al Akhdar continues to attract a steady flow of visitors. The Smart Passport initiative is expected to increase footfall and enhance visitor experiences through structured and interactive exploration.
Sohar Islamic is playing an important role in supporting tourism innovation, helping to position Oman as a competitive destination in the regional tourism market.
Conclusion
The “Smart Passport for Rose Explorer 2026” marks a significant step in the evolution of smart tourism in Oman. The initiative by Sohar Islamic highlights the growing importance of digital innovation in enhancing visitor engagement and supporting local communities.
As Oman continues to develop its tourism infrastructure, initiatives like this will play a key role in shaping a more sustainable, innovative, and experience-driven travel ecosystem.portance of digital innovation in enhancing visitor engagement and supporting local communities.
