05 July 2011
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman has formed a committee represented by the members of the local tourism industry.
The committee will make efforts for strengthening the Sultanate's tourism strategy and chalking out an effective action plan to maintain and increase tourist arrivals in the country.
The committee brings together airline, hotel, tour operator and tourism investment representatives. They will work with the ministry on coordinated communications with key international markets, to ensure an accurate portrayal of Oman's current situation, specifically highlighting the major tourism potential of the country.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) said it expects Oman's tourism industry to grow from 1.5 per cent of total GDP in 2010 to 2.4 per cent of GDP by 2020. The WTTC report also reveals that Oman's contribution to the economy by tourism-related activity is expected to increase from 7.6 per cent of GDP in 2010 to 9.2 per cent of GDP by 2020.
"An enhanced marketing strategy for Oman's tourism sector will ensure that tourist arrivals in the country remain high over the coming months," said Salem Al Mamari, director general of tourism promotions at the Ministry of Tourism.
"This will be done at two levels. Firstly, we will make efforts to portray to international public and media an accurate and effective picture about Oman's safe conditions. They will be told that the Sultanate is as welcoming for tourists as it was earlier.
"Secondly, we shall draw attention of the international media to a number of completed or ongoing tourist projects and activities in Oman which boosts the experience of natural beauty and indigenous culture in the Sultanate," he added.
Among the latest recognitions of Oman's rise in international tourism was the presentation of the prestigious Most Improved Destination Award for 2010 to the Sultanate's Port Services Corporation (PSC) by Dream Cruise World Destinations magazine during the 'Cruise Shipping Conference and Exhibition' held in Miami recently. In a separate event, the PSC received the maiden visit to Muscat by the Queen Elizabeth cruise liner in late March.
The only other Gulf port included in the liner's maiden world sailing was Dubai, underlining the Sultanate's huge appeal as a stopover for the world's most famous cruise ships.
Experts say that Oman's tourism industry focuses on GCC and India, and it views the Arabian travel market as a platform for promoting intra-regional tourism. The other highlight is the Khareef Festival to draw international visitors for family-centered activities. This potential has to be enhanced, say, tourism officials.
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman has formed a committee represented by the members of the local tourism industry.
The committee will make efforts for strengthening the Sultanate's tourism strategy and chalking out an effective action plan to maintain and increase tourist arrivals in the country.
The committee brings together airline, hotel, tour operator and tourism investment representatives. They will work with the ministry on coordinated communications with key international markets, to ensure an accurate portrayal of Oman's current situation, specifically highlighting the major tourism potential of the country.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) said it expects Oman's tourism industry to grow from 1.5 per cent of total GDP in 2010 to 2.4 per cent of GDP by 2020. The WTTC report also reveals that Oman's contribution to the economy by tourism-related activity is expected to increase from 7.6 per cent of GDP in 2010 to 9.2 per cent of GDP by 2020.
"An enhanced marketing strategy for Oman's tourism sector will ensure that tourist arrivals in the country remain high over the coming months," said Salem Al Mamari, director general of tourism promotions at the Ministry of Tourism.
"This will be done at two levels. Firstly, we will make efforts to portray to international public and media an accurate and effective picture about Oman's safe conditions. They will be told that the Sultanate is as welcoming for tourists as it was earlier.
"Secondly, we shall draw attention of the international media to a number of completed or ongoing tourist projects and activities in Oman which boosts the experience of natural beauty and indigenous culture in the Sultanate," he added.
Among the latest recognitions of Oman's rise in international tourism was the presentation of the prestigious Most Improved Destination Award for 2010 to the Sultanate's Port Services Corporation (PSC) by Dream Cruise World Destinations magazine during the 'Cruise Shipping Conference and Exhibition' held in Miami recently. In a separate event, the PSC received the maiden visit to Muscat by the Queen Elizabeth cruise liner in late March.
The only other Gulf port included in the liner's maiden world sailing was Dubai, underlining the Sultanate's huge appeal as a stopover for the world's most famous cruise ships.
Experts say that Oman's tourism industry focuses on GCC and India, and it views the Arabian travel market as a platform for promoting intra-regional tourism. The other highlight is the Khareef Festival to draw international visitors for family-centered activities. This potential has to be enhanced, say, tourism officials.
© Times of Oman 2011
