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
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive