08 November 2005
MUSCAT -- The French Top Managers 10th anniversary tourism convention presently under way in the Sultanate augurs well for a steady flow of discerning French tourists to Oman. The prestigious convention, which concludes today, was hosted for the first time in Oman in co-ordination with the Ministry of Tourism and its market-based office in France.
The convention organised by Tour Hebdo, the French magazine for tourism professionals, was sponsored by 17 major players in tourism-related industries, including Amadeus, Asia, Bennett Voyages, Fram, Jet Tours, Look Voyages and TUI. Eighty-five directors and top officials of French tourism and travel trade companies attended the event.
"Oman has emerged as an interesting and high-end destination for French tourists. The setting up of Oman's market-based tourism office in France three years ago has paid off rich dividends. The French travel and tourism industry has begun placing Oman on their map," Rania Khodr, Director of Oman Tourism Office in France, said. "The French top managers will have a clear taste of Oman and experience what the country offers. Oman has thousands of kilometres of scenic coast, thousands of metres of awesome altitude, thousands of square metres of mysterious desert and 5,000 years of rich history and culture, but above all Oman offers millions of smiles that accompany genuine hospitality. Oman also enjoys unparalleled stability and safety. The French society is beginning to be aware of what Oman offers," she added.
The tourism office had facilitated visits of several leading French journalists to Oman, Rania said, adding that all of them expressed very positive impressions about the Sultanate. "The French tourism market is not easy to penetrate as the country has everything to offer in terms of nature, history and culture. Nearly 75 per cent of the country's population do not venture out of the country as they have stunning destinations within the country to explore. The Sultanate needs to adopt a sustained strategy to promote the country as a unique destination," Rania said.
"Oman has everything what the French are looking for. We are now doing direct marketing, presentations and workshops to highlight the country as an exclusive destination. Travel and road shows are also being held in key cities, besides newsletters, brochures and a website which give all the required information about the country," Rania said.
Interestingly, the leading French television channel will soon telecast a film on Oman in the country's number one watched programme on TF1. The programme entitled Vshvaia will feature the desert life in Oman. The film brilliantly captures all the stunning elements of desert life, Rania said, adding that it will significantly boost the appeal of Oman as a distinct destination. "This is exactly what the French are looking for when they travel to new destinations. We are sure that the number of French tourists to Oman will significantly increase in the coming days," Rania added.
The convention of Top Managers discussed new stakes in technology and new destinations, Cyril Cousin, Commercial Director of Bennett Voyages, said. "Oman is all about living a new experience. We are fascinated by the way people live here and the Omani smile is part of its rich heritage and culture. This is not a fake smile but a genuine smile of friendship and hospitality. Oman's landscape is also varied and appealing," Cousin said. The French outbound tourism market is witnessing a 40 per cent growth. Oman being a trendy, authentic and appealing destination, can surely attract a lot of French tourists," he added.
Promoting new tourism destinations is one of the roles of Tour Hebdo magazine, Francois Xaiver Izevic, Editor-in-Chief, said. The French are interested in discovering new countries and Oman perfectly fits their curiosity, he added. The magazine has been responsible for hosting the convention during the past 10 years. "We have very good impressions about Oman, which offers warm hospitality and boasts some of the finest hotel properties in the world.
The country is beautiful and is not far away from France. Direct flights will make the destination more appealing," Izevic said. "Oman is considered a very safe destination. This aspect is very important for French tourists. The magazine will publish a special issue on Oman in January," he added.
"The convention of French Top Managers is a forerunner of opening up of the French market to Oman. The Sultanate is an exotic destination with white sands and palm trees, a dream-like destination for the French. Bahwan Tours was closely involved with all the planning aspects of the visit of French top managers to Oman," Shankar Bose, General Manager of Bahwan Travel Agencies, said. "The French market has great potential and Oman can take a lead in attracting visitors as the country is endowed with all the ingredients of choice destinations preferred by the French," he added.
"We have been very careful in planning every minute details of this visit as the impressions carried by these key officials will determine the future flow of tourists from France. The itinerary was chalked out in such a way that they would get an opportunity to savour all the key elements of Oman's appeal as an exotic destination," Mahesh Ramamurthy, assistant manager, Bahwan Tours, said. "Locations like Fins beach and Nakhal fort were chosen to provide an authentic experience of Oman. Modern temporary amenities were set up at these locations to ensure a comfortable setting to experience one of the finest traditional Omani experiences," he added. "The French guests are greatly impressed with the country and the facilities available here," Bose pointed out.
MUSCAT -- The French Top Managers 10th anniversary tourism convention presently under way in the Sultanate augurs well for a steady flow of discerning French tourists to Oman. The prestigious convention, which concludes today, was hosted for the first time in Oman in co-ordination with the Ministry of Tourism and its market-based office in France.
The convention organised by Tour Hebdo, the French magazine for tourism professionals, was sponsored by 17 major players in tourism-related industries, including Amadeus, Asia, Bennett Voyages, Fram, Jet Tours, Look Voyages and TUI. Eighty-five directors and top officials of French tourism and travel trade companies attended the event.
"Oman has emerged as an interesting and high-end destination for French tourists. The setting up of Oman's market-based tourism office in France three years ago has paid off rich dividends. The French travel and tourism industry has begun placing Oman on their map," Rania Khodr, Director of Oman Tourism Office in France, said. "The French top managers will have a clear taste of Oman and experience what the country offers. Oman has thousands of kilometres of scenic coast, thousands of metres of awesome altitude, thousands of square metres of mysterious desert and 5,000 years of rich history and culture, but above all Oman offers millions of smiles that accompany genuine hospitality. Oman also enjoys unparalleled stability and safety. The French society is beginning to be aware of what Oman offers," she added.
The tourism office had facilitated visits of several leading French journalists to Oman, Rania said, adding that all of them expressed very positive impressions about the Sultanate. "The French tourism market is not easy to penetrate as the country has everything to offer in terms of nature, history and culture. Nearly 75 per cent of the country's population do not venture out of the country as they have stunning destinations within the country to explore. The Sultanate needs to adopt a sustained strategy to promote the country as a unique destination," Rania said.
"Oman has everything what the French are looking for. We are now doing direct marketing, presentations and workshops to highlight the country as an exclusive destination. Travel and road shows are also being held in key cities, besides newsletters, brochures and a website which give all the required information about the country," Rania said.
Interestingly, the leading French television channel will soon telecast a film on Oman in the country's number one watched programme on TF1. The programme entitled Vshvaia will feature the desert life in Oman. The film brilliantly captures all the stunning elements of desert life, Rania said, adding that it will significantly boost the appeal of Oman as a distinct destination. "This is exactly what the French are looking for when they travel to new destinations. We are sure that the number of French tourists to Oman will significantly increase in the coming days," Rania added.
The convention of Top Managers discussed new stakes in technology and new destinations, Cyril Cousin, Commercial Director of Bennett Voyages, said. "Oman is all about living a new experience. We are fascinated by the way people live here and the Omani smile is part of its rich heritage and culture. This is not a fake smile but a genuine smile of friendship and hospitality. Oman's landscape is also varied and appealing," Cousin said. The French outbound tourism market is witnessing a 40 per cent growth. Oman being a trendy, authentic and appealing destination, can surely attract a lot of French tourists," he added.
Promoting new tourism destinations is one of the roles of Tour Hebdo magazine, Francois Xaiver Izevic, Editor-in-Chief, said. The French are interested in discovering new countries and Oman perfectly fits their curiosity, he added. The magazine has been responsible for hosting the convention during the past 10 years. "We have very good impressions about Oman, which offers warm hospitality and boasts some of the finest hotel properties in the world.
The country is beautiful and is not far away from France. Direct flights will make the destination more appealing," Izevic said. "Oman is considered a very safe destination. This aspect is very important for French tourists. The magazine will publish a special issue on Oman in January," he added.
"The convention of French Top Managers is a forerunner of opening up of the French market to Oman. The Sultanate is an exotic destination with white sands and palm trees, a dream-like destination for the French. Bahwan Tours was closely involved with all the planning aspects of the visit of French top managers to Oman," Shankar Bose, General Manager of Bahwan Travel Agencies, said. "The French market has great potential and Oman can take a lead in attracting visitors as the country is endowed with all the ingredients of choice destinations preferred by the French," he added.
"We have been very careful in planning every minute details of this visit as the impressions carried by these key officials will determine the future flow of tourists from France. The itinerary was chalked out in such a way that they would get an opportunity to savour all the key elements of Oman's appeal as an exotic destination," Mahesh Ramamurthy, assistant manager, Bahwan Tours, said. "Locations like Fins beach and Nakhal fort were chosen to provide an authentic experience of Oman. Modern temporary amenities were set up at these locations to ensure a comfortable setting to experience one of the finest traditional Omani experiences," he added. "The French guests are greatly impressed with the country and the facilities available here," Bose pointed out.
By Ebby Chacko George
© Oman Daily Observer 2005
