MUSCAT: Oman’s Ministry of Tourism is set to highlight the Sultanate’s natural beauty at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market, the largest international travel and tourism event in the Middle East and North Africa, taking place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from the 28th April to the 1st May 2019. The country has rapidly evolved in recent years to become among the most popular tourist destinations in the Middle East as a result of a series of strategic promotional campaigns led by the government to elevate the country’s profile regionally and internationally. Determined be build on recent success, the Ministry has developed several new promising promotional campaigns and activities to further elevate Oman’s profile.
The Ministry’s target audience includes local travelers, GCC visitors and international tourists; whilst the upcoming summer campaigns will revolve around promoting popular destinations such as Jebel Akhdar, Khareef Dhofar, Al Ashkharah, Jebel Shams and other tourism spots characterized by moderate temperatures during summer season. Ambitious aims to introduce the sector’s latest developments, services and facilities to new global markets and enhance the country’s position as a reputable destination regardless of the season are now a reality, with the number of visitors entering the Sultanate from both within the GCC and around the world rising every year. In a further boost the country’s profile, the Sultanate of Oman recently won the “Favorite road-trip destination” award at the Conte Nast Traveler Middle East Readers’ Awards and has become an established tourism destination in the GCC region. Furthermore, future tourism plans and projects scheduled to be launched in the near future will also be unveiled at the event.
The continual rise in popularity is in part attributed to the Ministry’s partnership with public and private sector entities throughout Oman as they work collaboratively to establish, maintain and progress special attractions complimentary of the culture and heritage of the Omani people. In addition, the Ministry is now also communicating and collaborating with regional and global online travel agents to develop unique travel packages, social media and digital campaigns a priority for summer and winter seasons There will be a number of cultural and heritage events that will take place in the Sultanate, including folklore performances held at the Royal Opera House and activities associated with the Eid al-Fitr and Al-Adha celebrations – which are held in most provinces throughout the country every year.
Salem Adi Al Mamari, Director General of Tourism Promotion, Oman Ministry of Tourism, said: “It’s a pleasure to be among the leading participants at the Arabian Travel Market – which is the perfect strategic platform for us to showcase the latest tourism services, marketing offers and promotional plans to strengthen our standing as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations. This year, our focus will be on the Sultanate’s special tourism and hospitality offerings accompanied by numerous partners from the public and private sectors.”
Al Mamari continued: “To complement the efforts of the Ministry to expand the tourist markets targeted, we recently opened a representative tourism office in the Russian Federation and will open another tourist office in the People’s Republic of China later this year. We will also be seeking joint ventures between the entities involved as we seek to grow domestic tourism revenues that will contribute towards building sustainable economic infrastructure in the country. We fully believe that this special event is the most effective platform to enhance communication with our partners. Furthermore, the event effectively promotes our tourism products; in line with the aims of the Oman Tourism Strategy as we strive towards becoming one of the world’s leading destinations for leisure, exploration and MICE by 2040.”
24 entities will also participate at the Arabian Travel Market under the umbrella of the Ministry of Tourism in an integrated effort towards promoting Oman’s tourism products and entities within the industry, including: The Sama Resort and Spa, Khimji’s House of Travel, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, Grand Hyatt Muscat, Aitken Spence Resorts ME LLC, Millennium Resort –Mussanah, Outdoor Adventure Tourism, The Chedi Muscat, Kempinski Hotel, Crowne Plaza and Six senses Zighy- Bay resorts. In addition, Al Bustan Palace, InterContinental IHG, Bahawan Tourism LLC, Shanfari Hotels & Resorts, Al Fawaz Tours, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Hormuz Grand, Muscat Hills Resort, Oman Air, Salam Air, Dhofar Municipality, Seerabeece for Exhibitions & International Festivals and the Alila Al Jabal Akhdar Resort. News Desk
