The Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Tourism has formed a committee represented by the members of the local tourism industry to participate in enhancing the Sultanate’s tourism strategy and laying down an effective action plan to maintain and grow the healthy numbers of tourists arriving in the country.
The committee brings together airline, hotel, tour operator and tourism investment representatives. They will work with the Ministry to create 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, Oman Ministry of Tourism. “This should be done on two levels; the delivery to international markets and media of an accurate, clear and effective message about Oman remaining as safe and welcoming to tourists as ever, and drawing attention to a number of completed or ongoing projects and activities which brings the experience of natural beauty and indigenous culture in the Sultanate to new heights,” 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 famous 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.
