Sunday 29 / September / 2024
Muscat : The National Ferries Company transported 122,699 passengers in the first half of 2024 compared to 100,591 passengers last year from the Wilayat of Masirah, recording a growth rate of 22 percent.
Zaher bin Hamad Al Rashdi, Deputy CEO of the National Ferries Company, explained that the fast ferry trips to and from the Wilayat of Masirah transported 4,035 tonnes of goods in the first half of this year. The number of trips to and from the island reached 1,504 during the same period.
Al Rashdi added that this increase is due to several factors, including: active tourism movement, as Masirah Island is a tourist destination and a source of attraction for tourists due to its natural components.
In addition, the holding of tourism events and activities also contributed to increasing the number of tourists and visitors. Notably, the Masirah Tourism Forum, which was held in January 2024 with the aim of encouraging investment in marine tourism, as well as the unique location of Masirah Island, its terrain and tourism components, exceptional marine environment and moderate weather throughout the year contributed to the rise in arrivals.
Al Rashidi pointed out that the "ferries" service between Masirah Island and Shanna Port contributed significantly to facilitating the movement of tourists and citizens between the island and the mainland, as well as enhancing economic activities and services.
It is worth noting that the growing demand for the "ferries" service to and from Masirah Island reflects the effectiveness of the ferry fleet, and its achievement of many social, tourism and economic roles, by providing multiple, simplified and new travel options for travellers according to the highest standards of safety, security and hospitality.
