''I was on a photo tour of Rajasthan in India and I wondered why I wasn't doing something like that for Oman,'' said Maisa al Hooti, an Omani photographer who wanted a similar showcase for Oman's heritage and splendor.
''And with each day, the idea got bigger.''
It turned into a huge project that had thousands of interested applicants vying for the ten spots on offer.
''I chose 13 professional photographers from different parts of the world, including GCC, UK, Canada, US, South Korea, Malaysia among others,'' said Maisa, the tour's organiser. For most of the selected group, it will be their first time in the sultanate.
The tour covers different parts of Oman - from Muscat's famous landmarks, resorts, wadis and beaches ''because each place has something unique. One place will have a different culture from another.''
Rosy Abdo, a film producer from Lebanon who will be making a documentary of the tour and will share organising duties with Maisa, said, ''The photographers are all accomplished professionals. We are inviting them to take pictures of this beautiful country with a professional eye and to give that to the world.
''The climate is different from governorate to governorate. It gives different aspects, like colours and light, for photographers.''
Though the group will mostly travel together between locales, the tour will have trips tailored to the interests and specialisations of the individual photographer, whether that's lifestyle or landscapes.
''They will work at their own pace. We don't want the pictures to come out the same. We want variety. We want each photo to have the photographer's stamp, sense, touch, angle and perspective,'' Rosy said. ''Their efforts will culminate in an exhibition of their best works (three each) at the Royal Opera House Muscat. After the opening, the pictures will then go on public display for ten days at the Opera Galleria.''
To raise Oman's profile overseas, Maisa added, exhibitions will be held at the Omani embassies in each of the photographers' home countries. ''It will make a big name for Oman because the photographers will share their pictures and their stories with the world,'' Maisa said.
''When I travel, many people ask me where Oman is. I tell them it's next to Dubai. The next time I go abroad, I want people to know of Oman and what's in Oman.''
The Ministry of Tourism, Oman Air, Omran, OMIFCO are sponsoring the tour of photo
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