In a bid to diversify and explore new markets, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) is planning to conduct a major road show in India in February 2012.
It was in 2011 that the ministry had appointed a market-based representative in India and for the first time carried a road show in the country. "With the kind of potential India has, we need to do more to attract travellers from the country. This step is in that direction and will help educate people about what Oman has to offer and boost tourism in the sultanate," said an official at MoT.
The four-city road show will start from Mumbai on February 3, then move to Bengaluru on February 6, Chennai on February 7 and in Delhi on February 8. This year there has been two-fold increase in the number of participants at the road show, with a total of twelve tourism enterprises as compared to six in 2011.
Represented by travel agencies like Bahwan Tours and Zahara Tours along with hotels like Al Bustan Palace and Shangri-La's Barr al Jissa Resort and Spa among others, the road show is a step to diversify Oman tourism's approach by focusing on new markets like India and China. "Last year we went on our own on a road show in India but this year we decided to be part of a larger contingent that is bound to make a big impact. It will seem as if the entire sultanate is participating, which will create more awareness on the variety of tourism products that Oman has to offer," said Lakshminarayanan, manager, inbound tours, Bahwan Tours.
He added that his company was also in talks with the ministry to organise a road show in China. "We are in the process of gathering more information on the Chinese market, and it is very likely that we will organise an awareness drive there."
Harsh Abrol, manager, inbound tours, Zahara Tours, stressed that India has a great potential and Oman is a unique destination in the Arab world which should be marketed well to attract greater number of tourists. "We have had a very successful partnership with MoT and continue to visit various travel and trade shows under its banner. The road show in India will educate people about Oman and its tourist attractions," said Abrol.
He added that exploring newer markets is a continuous process and there was need to look beyond Europe, as the region continues to struggle under economic strain. "Even if it wasn't for the economic downturn, diversifying into newer markets makes better business sense."
© Muscat Daily 2012
