Ash Sharqiyah South Governorate
Ash Sharqiyah South's Sur was designated 2024 Arab Tourism Capital—hosting 38,793 visitors to its living dhow shipyard where traditional vessels are still hand-built as Oman's maritime heritage becomes tourism asset.
Ash Sharqiyah South exists because the Gulf of Oman's eastern coastline created natural harbors where dhow construction and maritime trade could flourish—Sur emerged as Arabia's shipbuilding center and Oman's primary gateway to East Africa, Zanzibar, and the Indian Ocean trading world. The 8-kilometer waterfront positioned Sur at the intersection of monsoon sailing routes.
The Arab Tourism Organization designated Sur as Arab Tourism Capital for 2024, recognizing the city's blend of historical sites and living heritage. Visitor numbers reached 38,793 during 2024, with 5,655 in Q1 2025 alone. The dhow yard remains operational: artisans shape timber and assemble traditional vessels by hand, transforming craft into tourism attraction. Sur Maritime Museum charts centuries of shipbuilding evolution.
Sur's population of approximately 127,000 (2023)—77,700 Omani nationals and 49,000 expatriates—reflects the labor patterns of a working port town. The commercial port historically served as Oman's most important East African trade gateway and continues handling fish, shipbuilding materials, and traditional goods.
Ras Al Hadd turtle watching and Masirah Island kitesurfing extend the governorate's outdoor recreation beyond Sur's urban core. The coastal environment combines with towering mountains and wadis to create what tourism promoters call a 'summer haven' with moderate temperatures relative to interior heat.
By 2026, Ash Sharqiyah South's trajectory depends on whether heritage tourism can sustain momentum beyond the 2024 designation while dhow building evolves from craft tradition to cultural commodity.