Oman Sparkles During Mega Roadshow in Sydney

More than 200 senior members of the travel industry in Sydney were treated to a “VIP Arabian Banquet” and a feast of product information on the “newest and most exotic destination in the world” during an Oman Roadshow held in the Sofitel Wentworth Grand Ballroom earlier this week.   

Organised by Bill McNamara, Oman Tourism Director, Australia and New Zealand in conjunction with the Oman Ministry of Tourism, the well coordinated event gave invitees a tantalising insight into a tradition strong destination on the Arabian Peninsula that has been recognised by the “United Nations Council as the safest country in the Gulf”.

In his opening remarks, McNamara stressed these aspects of Oman and emphasised various other plus points for Australian travellers including the diverse landscape, exotic wildlife, lavish hotels, age old forts and excellent shopping in a country that boasts of 5000 years of history and culture.

H.E. Mohammed Hamood Al Tobi, The Undersecretary, Ministry of Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, acknowledged the highly tangible efforts made by Bill McNamara, Air Marketing, in significantly raising the awareness of Oman over the past six years. 

[Pictured: The Official delegation: Mr Salim Bin Adey Al-Mamari, Director General of Tourism Promotion and H.E. Mr Mohammed Hamood Al Tobi, The Undersecretary, Ministry of Tourism, Sultanate of Oman headed the official delegation]

In 2002 just 1000 Australians visited Oman.  Last year this figure had grown to 12,000 with 15,000 arrivals expected in 2007.  The target for the “longest serving market-based representative in the world for Oman, Air Marketing,” is 25,000 Australians by 2008.   

Mr Al Tobi went on to say that while there were 24 major tourism projects now underway in all regions of Oman, a sovereign nation just 1 ½ times the size of Victoria, the country was “committed to maintaining it’s heritage and culture with a minimum of high rise development”.

Among the US$17 billion worth of mega projects currently underway is the $800 million resort complex called The Wave.  Situated along 7.3 km of beachfront near Muscat’s Seeb International Airport, the project consists of three resort hotels and an international standard 18 hole golf course designed by Greg Norman. 

The golf course slated to open before the end of the year is also likely to become a favourite with visitors staying in city hotels as the signature layout is just 15 minutes from Muscat.

Another mega development is the Blue City Al Sawadi Tourism Project, a US$10 billion tourism centre and resort complex located 30 minutes from Seeb Airport. 

Located over an 8 sq. km expanse, the plan calls for the construction of three beach resort hotels, an international golf resort, a “city beach resort” and conference centre, an Arabian style village, an aquarium and an amphitheatre.  The entire project is scheduled for completion in 2010.

Preceding the information packed presentations by Bill McNamara and H.E. Mohammed Hamood Al Tobi, travel agent and tour wholesaler guests were invited to visit corporate booths that had been set up in the ballroom for an update on hotel, airline and tour developments in Oman and the region. 

[Pictured: Oman’s mighty forts are a major cultural attraction.]

More than 20 industry partners – some coming especially from Oman – participated in the roadshow by organising corporate booths.

Lara Pierce, Sales Executive, Emirates, said that all seven of the carrier’s daily services out of Australia conveniently connect with onward flights from Dubai to Muscat.  She said that Emirates is looking forward to operating the A380 on its Australian/Dubai routes next year. 

The carrier which commences operations to Newcastle on Tyne in July, Venice in September and Sao Paulo in October has 48 A380s on order.  This is more than the combined orders placed by all the other carriers in the world, she said.

Meanwhile Qatar Airways is gearing up to launch flights into Australia before the end of the year, said Brett McDougall, Manager Sales Development – Australasia.  We already have traffic rights for a three times a week service into Melbourne but this proposition isn’t commercially viable for us. 

We are negotiating for a daily service into Melbourne followed by dailies into Sydney and Perth, he said.  If the next round of aviation talks – due shortly – are successful we could mount the first of the daily services within six to nine months, he said.

The carrier is already picking up considerable Australian traffic from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to Doha.  As well, the carrier is on line in the region to Jakarta, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, Manila, Cebu and Osaka.  Services are scheduled to start soon to Denpasar and Ho Chi Minh City.

About 50% of our Australian traffic is to the Gulf and the Middle East, he added.  Qatar Airways has 10 flights a week from Doha to Muscat.

Qatar Airways is the first international airline to offer live digital satellite television beamed direct to TV screens in each seat on A330 and A340 aircraft, he said.

Vickie Hebbard, State Manager Business Development NSW/ACT, Creative Holidays said that the company released its first ever tour package to Oman in January. 

Priced from $805, the 4-night “Amazing Muscat Mini-Stay” includes accommodation at the Radisson SAS hotel, two tours, return airport transfers and breakfasts.  We are working with all airline partners she said.  This programme suitable for the FIT market highlights the distinct and very traditional aspects of Oman, she added.

Another new important development in Oman is Shangri-la’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa.  Set amid 124 acres of landscaped gardens it features three separate hotels including the ultra lavish “6-star Al Husn Hotel which features contemporary Omani architecture and its own 100 metre private beach.  

Guests are chauffeur driven to this ultra upmarket hotel in an Audi A8 limousine or a Bentley.  The Al Husn also offers the CHI, The Spa which features a variety of traditional Chinese and Himalayan treatments. 

Located within 15 minutes of Mutrah, the old city of Muscat, the three hotel complex offers a full contingent of water and land based sporting activities plus an onsite Omani Heritage Village and an archaeological site, said Katey Matthews, Director of Sales and Marketing, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.  

[Pictured: Three lavish hotel properties comprise the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa outside Muscat.]

Opening in late 2006, the entire three-hotel property with its dynamic sweeping views over towering white cliffs and a pristine 450 metre beach front is unlike any other hotel in the Arabian Peninsula, she said. 

By Thomas E. King, TravelMole’s Travel & Lifestyle Editor