United Kingdom: Launch of Jewel of Arabia Expedition
A ceremony was held at the Royal Geographical Society in London, to launch the “Oman: Jewel of Arabia” expedition.
The launch was attended by His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth of the Sultanate of Oman and Prince William, Prince of Wales.
The Expedition, which builds on the deep rooted ties between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Kingdom, will recreate the journey of British explorer Bertram Thomas through Oman in 1928.
The project also aims to highlight Oman's cultural and natural heritage while raising global awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability issues.
The launch event featured a promotional film about the journey and its objectives, as well as the unveiling of the project’s dedicated website, which will provide ongoing media coverage of all stages of the expedition.
The journey is scheduled to begin in January 2025, lasting 30 days. The route will run from Ras Al Hadd in the North to Salalah in the South. It will combine traditional modes of transport, such as camels and walking, with modern methods, like four wheel drive vehicles.
Passing through or close to many of Oman’s biodiversity hotspots, the Expedition will use the power of social media, podcasts and photography to tell stories in Arabic and English that will put the spotlight on inspiring people and amazing places – the young Omanis working in the green arena and on Oman’s transition to becoming a sustainable global green energy hub.
The Expedition will also include a group of British enthusiasts alongside the Omani youth, reflecting cultural and scientific collaboration that strengthens ties between the two countries.
The initiative also seeks to enhance Oman’s position as a global destination that blends cultural and natural heritage while demonstrating its commitment to supporting environmental sustainability efforts.
The Expedition will be documented through a book and promotional materials, showcasing the experience and opening new avenues for cultural and tourism collaboration between Oman and the world.
During the launch event, Prince William, joint patron of the expedition with Sayyid Theyazin, examined old pictures and maps of the route taken by Thomas.
Sayyid Theyazin invited Prince William to join the project because of his passion for conservation. The Prince of Wales learnt about Oman’s environmental protection efforts during a trip five years ago.
“I’m delighted to be joined by His Highness Sayyid Theyazin. I just had the opportunity to look through some of the images from the RGS collection and they bring back memories from my visit to Oman in 2019,” Prince William said.
“This expedition will not only highlight Oman’s rich biodiversity and natural heritage, but it also symbolises the enduring friendship between our two countries. This was again demonstrated by the recent visit to the UK by His Majesty Sultan Haitham.”
An exhibition at the launch showcased historical artefacts from the original 1928 journey, offering guests a glimpse into Oman’s rich cultural heritage. Jewel of Arabia is more than an expedition; it is a bridge between past and future, reflecting the spirit of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Oman and the United Kingdom.
The Expedition will be led by Briton Mark Evans, who said: “The stars of the show will undoubtedly be the camels who are currently in ‘camel boot camp’ in Oman to prepare for the month-long desert trek.”
This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.