The Ministry of Tourism in Oman has announced that it has set up a representative office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia that will tap the Kingdom’s image as a major outbound market in the GCC region.
The average spending of Saudi tourists overseas ranks among the highest in the world. Another key factor in the decision to open the new office cited by the Ministry is the preference of Saudi travelers to take trips as a large family group. The Ministry’s new office will improve destination brand awareness among Saudi nationals and secure more participation in major local tourism and travel exhibitions and events held in the Kingdom. Oman’s tourism sector will also benefit from joint marketing activities targeting the main holiday seasons.
The Riyadh office will directly report to the Dubai office of Oman’s Ministry of Tourism and will take charge of planning for KSA-targeted yearly marketing and activities.
“Our new Saudi presence will help Oman’s hospitality and tourism stakeholders gain a firmer foothold on the Kingdom’s outbound travel market, which is considered one of the most attractive in the world. The Riyadh office will also immensely improve communications with Saudi travel players who will learn more about the authentic Arabian experience Oman offers. Moreover, our new office paves the way for more solid joint sales and marketing ventures between Omani and Saudi interests,” said Her Excellency Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary, Oman Ministry of Tourism.
In 2012, travel guide publisher Lonely Planet named Muscat, Oman as the Second Best City to visit in the world. The city was also chosen as the Capital of Arab Tourism for 2012 in honor of the diversity of its environment and its particular focus on cultural tourism. Oman’s Ministry of Tourism is pursuing stronger ties with key travel markets in the region such as Saudi Arabia to sustain the momentum and maintain Oman’s claim as a must-visit destination in the Middle East.
