Oman proves itself as tourism powerhouse at WTM

Published on : Friday, November 21, 2014

wtm_2014_logoIt proved to be an ideal spot, as they say, ‘for the visitors to take a short break during the show, to have some Omani coffee and dates served in the traditional style’.

 

And it was very well positioned at the entrance of the ‘Middle East section’ and in full view of the South Hall at the ExCeL London Exhibition Centre, thanks to its design.

Oman’s participation was very strong at the recently concluded World Travel Market (WTM), its presence was enhanced by the advertising banners around the entrance to the hall and at the entrance to the Global Stage for being the title sponsor of the World Responsible Tourism Awards.

Taking part in one of the largest tourism expo and image-building events in the international travel industry were 21 companies and institutions from Oman besides its Ministry of Tourism (MoT) delegation led by Undersecretary Maitha Al Mahrouqi.

Taking part for the last 22 years, WTM, London has been one of the most important exhibitions for Oman tourism, which is evident from the fact that visitors from UK rose from around 25,000 in 2003 to 133,529 in 2013.

 

“The number of tourists from the UK has increased sharply with an annual increase of not less than 10 per cent,” said Salim bin Adi Al Mamari, Director General (Tourism Promotion) with MoT.

The just-concluded event also witnessed the travel trade bestowing the Star Middle East Tourist Office Award on Oman.

The UK is now Oman’s second largest inbound tourism market closely behind the German-
speaking countries as a whole, and it can grow further, thanks to several favourable factors, the tour operators in Oman point out.

 

They include the strong historical and political links Oman has with the UK, ‘the operation ease’ in handling the English-speaking market (availability of guides) and cost benefits while putting in place the marketing tools.

The very design of Oman’s pavilion at the WTM symbolised the Sultanate’s culture and heritage.

“We are focused on cultural tourism and to link people. We kept telling the visitors that the main asset of Oman is its people.

 

The real tourists travel not just to see buildings or structures but to know about the culture, traditions, meet people and mingle with them,” says Nizar. Besides, this kind of tourism development could raise the awareness of the natural and cultural heritage and contribute to more resources being allocated to the protection and conservation of that heritage, according to Maitha Al Mahrouqi, the Undersecretary, MoT.

This time at the WTM, Oman has also shown its interest in promoting Responsible Tourism (RT) by sponsoring the RT awards. “Since the introduction of an RT day at the WTM in 2006, to educate and inspire travel companies to engage in year-round responsible tourism activities, the event has made an impressive growth. The seminars offer plenty of chances to learn from some of the leading experts in the industry,” said Robby George, the manager (Tours and MICE), Eihab Travels.

The MoT director general said the Ministry was in the process of developing a new strategy for the next 20 years, which will be ready by mid-2015.

And the WTM was an opportunity to promote Oman’s latest accommodation openings including the Alila Jabal Akhdar mountain resort, and Rotana Resort, the first five star hotel in Dhofar. Oman also highlighted various projects in the pipeline including Dunes, the 30-room desert resort by Al Nahda Resort and Spa, the Kempinski Hotel and The Fairmont Hotel at The Wave, Muscat.

The Ministry is looking towards Wellness Tourism as a new sector for growth with new spa
resorts coming onboard.

 

Muscat has seen recent growth in the MICE market and this is
anticipated to grow even faster with the opening of the new Oman Convention and Exhibition centre in 2016.

 

Besides, a new Public Transport Master Plan is to be ready by December 2014 and once implemented will provide a state of the art bus network that can be integrated into bus rapid transit (BRT) and light rail transit (LRT) systems at a later stage.

Meanwhile, the Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) showcased the new terminals at Muscat International Airport and Salalah Airport.

 

In Muscat, the new terminal will be completed by 2014 and will have the capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually.

A further expansion planned in three subsequent phases will ultimately boost Omani airport’s annual capacity to 24, 36 and 48 million passengers respectively to meet demand as required.

 

The new terminal at Salalah plans to increase its capacity to one million passengers annually by 2014.

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