Oman’s new tourism hotspot
Muscat was the penultimate destination for the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2013 road show.
Previous road show locations included Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Lebanon.
The Sultanate of Oman is taking a 360-degree look at its tourism product as government investment and private sector interest raises the profile of the country’s diverse geography with a raft of pipeline projects underway.
The Omani government has allocated USD39 million to develop tourism sites in Dhofar province this year, as the annual Khareef (monsoon) season attracts increasing numbers of visitors.
"This shift of focus outside of the capital, Muscat, is a clear sign that the sultanate is powering ahead with a well thought-out and diversified plan for tourism growth," said Mark Walsh, portfolio director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.
Muscat International Airport’s new multi-million dollar terminal is set to open next year, with the capacity to handle 12 million passengers per year.
To the south of the country, new tourism hotspot Salalah debuts its upgraded airport in 2014.
Both Qatar Airways and Oman Air are launching new services from Salalah in 2013.
In Salalah, a Club Med, Movenpick and Rotana will add 1,158 rooms to the market, with another two five-star hotels and supporting mixed-use facilities in the pipeline.
Oman will have a strong presence at ATM this year. Major exhibitors include the Oman Ministry of Tourism and Oman Air.
Ian Jarrett
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