MUSCAT -- Tourism Minister Dr Rajha bint Abdulameer bin Ali will lead the Omani delegation at this week's Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2010 in the UAE, where she will outline Oman's vision for growth in the tourism sector including the need for greater foreign investment in the sector. The four-day ATM-2010 will be held from tomorrow at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre, while Dr Rajha will also attend the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2010 running at the Madinat Jumeirah which ends today.
The Ministry of Tourism is looking to leverage the networking potential of ATM-2010 to attract a greater number of participants to the 4th International Responsible Tourism Destinations Conference, which Oman will host from October 10 to 12. The conference will gather hundreds of tourism executives, experts and government representatives from different countries, who will discuss strategies and possible avenues for cooperation in the area of responsible tourism.
Salem al Maamari, the Tourism Ministry's Director-General of Tourism Promotions, said: "Oman's tourism potential has significantly increased as a result of aggressive infrastructure investments and the introduction of laws and regulations that encourage foreign direct investment into the tourism sector. "We seek to further promote Oman's tourism potential through our participation at the Arabian Travel Market 2010, where we will showcase Oman's expanding tourist offerings and investment opportunities.
The exhibition serves as an integral component of our strategy to penetrate new international markets and boost awareness about Oman's robust growth prospects." "We have assembled a powerful team of key stakeholders in the tourism industry to join us at ATM. The ministry will be working closely with all members of our delegation to ensure a highly informative, entertaining and enlightening presentation of Oman's wide array of exciting travel and tourism offerings," added Al Maamari.
The Ministry of Tourism has also appointed Al Ketbi Consultancy, a leading specialist in the regional tourism industry, as its representative in the GCC markets. Al Ketbi Consultancy is co-ordinating the ministry's participation at ATM 2010, including the launch of several new hospitality offerings, including the new Swiss-Belhotel Resort on Masirah Island, Salalah Marriott Resort and the Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay.
The Swiss-Belhotel Resort at Masirah Island is 15 km off Oman's east coast; and island famous for its sandy beaches and as a nesting place for a number of turtle species. The 5-star Salalah Marriott Resort, the first Marriott Hotel in Oman, is set in the shores of the Arabian Gulf and serves as the first phase of the prestigious Mirbat Beach project. Located in Oman's northern Musandam Peninsula, Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay offers tradition village style (luxury) accommodation with the mountain range on one side and 1.6 km of sandy beach on the other.
Oman has been a popular destination among regional and international tourists for its natural attractions such as its mountains, wadis, deserts and beaches, which are regarded as among the cleanest in the world. Colourful annual festivals are also a big attraction in the cities of Muscat and Salalah, two of the most prominent and most popular tourist destinations in the country. The Muscat Festival is one of the country's best attractions featuring sports, music, dance, exhibitions, stage performances and children's activities; while the Salalah Tourism Festival is a unique event held in the mountains of southern Oman to celebrate the monsoon.
Oman is also recognised for its extensive range of popular tourist activities such as different kinds of water sports, rock climbing, sand skiing in the desert, trekking, cave exploration, bull fighting, dolphin shows, fishing charters and camel races. The country also features hundreds of forts and castles, which are among numerous cultural landmarks that give the country its unique character and age-old charm.
By Staff Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2010
