About the Department: The Sultanate of Oman’s renaissance was accompanied by an increase in tourism due to the availability of attraction elements as the location, variety of relief including plains, mountains, valleys, deserts, oasis and costs which extending to about 3000 kilometres. Added to that is the rich heritage and culture to which the eminent Royal directives give due attention. Thus, Sultan Qaboos University contributes to the promotion of tourism through the establishment of tourism program in the college of Arts and Social Sciences. Such a program will produce qualified personnel to work in the various fields of tourism; it will also be a nucleus for academic and professional training in the Sultanate. Hence, the University will contribute to the development of human resources in the Sultanate as it usually does. In the fall semester of 2001, a B.A program in Tourism was commenced. Forty percent of the tourism specialization will be general courses. The remaining sixty percent will be specialization courses in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth semesters. The program consists of the following three specializations: 1. Hospitality Management 2. Tourism Management. 3. Tourism Guidance.   The tourism courses are carefully graded and the specialization courses will be taught in English. More than 60% of the total number of the courses (general and specialization courses) will be taught in English. Due attention will be given to practical training in the program. The student should attain Level 6 in English language, or its equivalent in the SQU Language Centre. The Tourism program started with only 7 students. However, the total number of the students now exceeded 250 students.