Tag Archives: Oman

As part of an interactive and informative sessions, Oman Tourism recently completed its three city sales missions with more than 20-25 prominent outbound trade partners each from Cochin, Hyderabad, and Kolkata in India. The sales missions were held on 21, 22 and 24 March 2023. The objective was to create awareness about the Sultanate of Oman in the trade and motivate them to sell the Sultanate of Oman as a leisure destination to their clients. The sales missions were graced by two delegates from the Muscat head office—Mr. Yousuf Khalaf Al Mujaizi, Assistant Director, Business Development and Mr. Mubarak Salim Al Harrasi, Head, Section of Arab and Asia markets. The sales missions were also attended by the members of Oman Air, whose participation was the focus of the three events. Two persons from each of the Indian cities were presented Oman Air tickets for answering a simple quiz post presentation. The event started at around 11.00 hours with a presentation by Oman Air and Oman Tourism, which was followed by a networking lunch. After learning about the exquisite culture, heritage, and adventure on offer in Oman, the trade partners were extremely eager to promote the picturesque destination to their clients. The response from the tourism industry was extremely positive. The team was thrilled with the excellent feedback from the three markets and is anticipating an increase in visitors from these cities to Oman. Earlier on 20 March, meetings were conducted in Cochin with five trade partners in their offices about the need to promote the Sultanate as a picturesque destination with their customers. On 25 March in Kolkata, a sit-down lunch was organized at a hotel with five trade partners …

A large delegation from Oman, headed by His Excellency Salim Al Mahrouqi, the Minister of Heritage and Tourism, participated at the ITB Berlin 2023 in the German capital from 7–9 March 2023. A total of 38 exhibitors from local tour operators to tourism projects to hotels and Oman’s national carrier represented the Sultanate at ITB Berlin, meeting key industry partners from all over the world at the 378 square meters-Oman stand in hall 2.2b. “The show is a potent platform for showcasing a variety of offerings that Oman can provide in the growing tourism industry,” said His Excellency Salim Al Mahrouqi. The ITB Berlin 2023 saw a total of 5,500 exhibitors from 161 countries and more than 90,000 participants, confirming the strong demand for tourism around the globe. The Sultanate of Oman offers 5,000 years of history and rich culture, allowing guests to have trulyauthentic experiences and deep insights into the way of life of the Omanis. The country boasts diverse nature and landscapes with sceneries that will leave travellers speechless. From outdoor trips to secluded mountain areas to a family holiday on the beach to a city trip to the capital Muscat—the destination allows for varied experiences and activities and is suitable for a variety of holiday types. Oman’s strong image as a destination ‘sprung from the tales of 1001 Nights’ gives it a magical touch, while at the same time being a safe destination.

International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on the 8th of March to acknowledge women’s contributions and achievements globally. Oman, a country in the Middle East, has made great strides in empowering women in various sectors, including tourism. The country celebrates this day to highlight the achievements of women in tourism and recognize their contributions to the sector’s growth and development. Over the years, Oman has invested heavily in promoting tourism, which has been a significant contributor to the country’s economy. The sector has grown significantly, with the number of visitors increasing every year. Women have played a crucial role in the Oman’s tourism sector, working in various capacities, such as tour guides, hotel staff, travel agents, and airline personnel. These women have shown their dedication and commitment to their work, providing quality services to tourists and promoting Oman as a safe and hospitable tourist destination. To celebrate the achievements of women in tourism, Oman organizes various events on International Women’s Day. These events aim to showcase the contribution of women in the tourism sector and inspire other women to join the industry. The events also provide an opportunity for women in tourism to network and share their experiences, challenges, and success stories. One such event is the Women in Tourism Forum, which brings together women from various sectors of the tourism industry. The forum provides a platform for women to discuss issues affecting their work and share their experiences. The forum also allows women to learn from each other and acquire new skills that can help them advance in their careers. Oman’s commitment to promoting women in the tourism industry has had a positive impact on the country’s tourism …

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, The Sultanate of Oman organized its first MICE FAM trip for the year for important MICE trade partners from all over India. The participants included representatives from travel agencies in Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, and Hyderabad. Several places in and around Muscat, including Wahiba Sands and Jebel Akhdar, were visited by a delegation of six key MICE partners. The objective of the trip was to showcase the top attractions and the hotel properties to the MICE agents, and therefore, the agenda was to do multiple inspections of hotels and the sites suitable for the Indian MICE movement. The site inspections were done in the top properties, including Al Falaj Hotel, Al Bustan Palace, Sheraton, Jumeirah Muscat Bay, W Muscat, Kempinski, Hotel Sur Plaza, DusitD2, Alila, Anantara and many more. The diversity of options for MICE in Oman which included the beaches, mountains, wadis, desert among others were discussed during the visit. The team was very happy to visit various sites of Omanؙ—Dolphin watching tour, Museums, Nizwa Fort, the famous souqs and a visit to the Mall of Oman. The trade partners were impressed with the options available in Oman for the MICE groups with a combination of luxury and budgeted properties. The agents found Oman to be a delightful place as they enjoyed the Sultanate’s hospitality, landscape, and culture. The trade partners were thrilled to see the culinary options available and its similarity with the Indian cuisine. A big thank you to our DMC partner Zahara Tours for flawlessly planning everything and hosting at the magnificent Arabian Nights Resort & Spa! On 4 February 2023, the FAM trip came to an end, leaving the guests …

The Sultanate of Oman abounds with various underwater/submerged cultural heritage, which is witness to its role as an axis of the human civilizations since the early prehistoric periods. Since several ships, coastal human settlements and aircrafts containing collectibles with cultural and economic significance sunk in the Omani territorial waters, it prompted the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) to establish a directorate for the underwater antiquities, the first unit of its kind in the GCC region. Ayyoub Nagmoush Al-Busaidi, Director, Directorate of the Underwater Submerged Antiquities, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT), said, “The underwater archaeological sites and ships are a source of precious historical information as they contain antiquities of human existence. The archaeology aims to analyze the antiquities, identify the origins and the development of civilizations.” “Underwater archaeology is a scientific discipline that deals with the studying sites, man-made objects, human remains, and submerged landscapes. This science should be placed within its broader framework of marine archaeology, which studies human relationships with oceans, lakes, and rivers, while complementing it with navigation,” he added. In 2012, the MHT has launched a program aiming to identify the resources and components of these antiquities, enumerating them, and determining their nature, and protecting them from illegal trade/natural factors, he added. The department is now working on formulating rules for protection, management, employment, conducting surveys, excavations, restoration, preserving, documenting archaeological sites, analyzing the results, and presenting them to the local and international community. It may be noted that Oman’s maritime history dated back to the 3 BC, when commercial activity flourished in Mesopotamia and the Nile Valley. After Omanis gained good expertise in navigation in the 18th century, Muscat emerged as one of …

Adventure tourism in the Sultanate of Oman has been witnessing an increasing global demand, even as the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism makes efforts to achieve optimal utilization of natural and cultural resources which contribute to developing the tourism and heritage sector and achieve the objectives of Vision 2040. The Ministry follows growth in adventure tourism and provides all necessary services for tourists and shows Oman as the safest tourist destinations in the world. This is done by studying global practices, safety standards, legislative framework and via setting various projects in the light of a wide response by the tourism companies including this product in their programs. Youssef bin Rashid Al Harassi, Head, Product Development Department, Directorate of Product Development and Tourism Experiences, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said, “Diversification of tourism products is one of the important methodologies in enhancing experiences for tourists.” He said there are several indicators for measuring the adventure tourism demand in the Sultanate such as Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort in the Wilayat Al Jebel Al Akhdar at Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, where the number of adventure tourism practitioners from January to December 2022 reached 1,950 tourists. Similarly, the number of tourists in Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort reached 2,000 tourists, he said, adding that the number is constantly growing in all governorates. applying security and safety standards and the legislative aspect, and Oman signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the New Zealand government. He said the Ministry is working overtime to implement projects that add value to natural ingredients. Under this, the first phase of the slide wire project at the Governorate of Musandam will be launched during 2023, he concluded. Global growth of …

Sultanate of Oman, a country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. Formerly a marine empire, it is the oldest independent state in the Arab world. Oman fuses historic Middle East creating an unforgettable holiday destination. Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman is hosting 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Oman Muscat (qualifying slots) for the 45 Age Group Qualifying slots for the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship that will take place in Lahti, Finland which will be held from 26-27 August 2023. The distance of the triathlon will test the mental and physical fitness of the athletes. The qualifying slots for the championship will be held in the scenic Shatti Al Qurum in Oman. Registration for the race is open for the interested athletes. Interested athletes must register on or before 14 December 2022 to take advantage of the triathlon benefits, including fee-free transfers and partial refund. This benefit is applicable to the qualifying race of the world triathlon championship. The 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Oman, Muscat start on 4 February 2023 in front of the InterContinental Muscat in Shatti Al Qurum with a one-loop 1.9 km (1.2 mile) Swim Route in the Sea of Oman. Following the swim, the athletes will take part in the 90-km (56 miles) Bike Route. They will head off to the scenic Port Sultan Qaboos and Muttrah Corniche, and Muscat Old Town with its exquisite Arabian-style architecture and Al Alam Royal Palace. It will take the athletes through the rolling hills of Muscat’s Al Bustan area, before heading into the city’s central business district, and ascends/descends into the town of Al Amarat. After a final climb out of Al Amarat, …

The Sultanate of Oman is a land of breathtaking natural beauty that is linked together with a myriad of mythology and historical events. Oman is the ideal destination for anyone looking for an authentic Arabian experience since it is the oldest independent state in the Arab world. The Sultanate has embraced modernity and progress, while preserving the fundamental elements of its culture and tradition. Oman is the only country in the world whose primary natural resources are rocks from the Earth’s mantle and oceanic crust. Oman’s heritage and history of seafaring, trading, and discovery are ingrained in its culture. Omanis are hospitable to foreign visitors, which is seen in the lavish hospitality shown to them. Oman is home of one of the world’s biggest underground caverns, the Majlis Al Jinn. Located in the center of Mount Hajar on the northern plateau of Salma, is quite enormous. It is 340 meters long, 128 meters broad, and more than 120 meters high. The Al Hajar Mountains, also known as The Stone Mountains, are one of Oman’s most breathtaking areas, while Jabal Al Akhdar, also called Green Mountain, is a climb away at 2,000 meters above sea level and overlooks a magnificent gorge, surrounded by The Hajar Mountains. Muttrah Souk is the oldest marketplaces in Oman. It is a center of the country’s trading past for goods coming from the Middle East, Europe, China, and other countries for centuries as they went via the port of Muscat. It remains as bustling as ever, selling traditional fabrics, apparel, jewellery, incense, pipes, pottery, handicrafts, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. Dhofar, Ẓufār in Arabic, enjoys extraordinary climatic conditions, which effects the southwest coast and hilly terrain. …

Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, The Sultanate of Oman, organized a sales mission in Jaipur as well as Lucknow to educate local travel sector about Oman’s suitability as a travel destination. The aim was to inform the Indian travel industry that Oman is a colorful destination, inform the industry about the updates of the destination so that existing itineraries and packages can be updated, continue key account management with agents in Oman and find new prospects for Oman product sales, and diversify Oman product offerings for our main target segments. Sales mission and training workshops were held in Jaipur and Lucknow, respectively, which was attended by 35 outbound travel agents each. Those with a history of high volumes to Oman were invited to the Sales Mission and training workshop in the two cities. Romantic getaway agents, family holiday agents, couple getaway agents, and luxury agents were invited to an interactive networking lunch and dinner in Jaipur and Lucknow, respectively. On 15 November 2022, 35 key outbound travel agents from Jaipur were invited for the networking sales event.  Representatives from Salam Air, who has direct connectivity from Jaipur were present at the event as well. The event was followed by lunch at ITC Rajputana. Later, Mayank Maheswari from Rainbow Vacation, Jaipur, sharing about his experience he had at the FAM trip early in November, said that the trade was positive with the feedback. On 17 November event, 35 trade partners from Lucknow were invited into the city center venue—Hyatt Regency wherein the program kicked off with an introduction and destination presentation, followed by networking dinner to discuss various aspects of Oman. Two airline partners—Oman Air and Salam Air—were invited to the …

On a FAM trip to Oman from 31 October to 8 November 2022, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, hosted eight important Indian travel trade partners, a representative from MBR India, and an employee of Oman-Air India. They were given responsibility for overseeing hotel inspections, travel experiences, local cultural outings, culinary tours and had amazing experiences in Muscat, Jebel Akhdar, Nizwa, Desert Rose Camp, Turtle Beach Resort, Salalah excursions to Daymaniyat Islands, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Nizwa Souq, Wahiba Sands, and Wadi Bani Khalid. The key travel trade in India was pleased with the international flights from India to Oman. They enjoyed travelling in luxury on business class in Oman Air on this stretch. The Indian travel industry recognized that Oman is only 2 to 3-hour flight away from several Indian cities at reasonable air rates. Most Indian cities have flights operated by Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman. All the hotels were well-liked by the attendees, but the Mysk Al Mouj, DusitD2 Naseem Resort Jebal Akhdar, Desert Rose Camp, W Hotel & Resorts, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, and Kempinski Hotel stood out. For the participants, the hotels suggested elegance and charm. The hospitality was compared to the highest possible international standards. Everything was wonderful, from the services to the staff’s kindness to cleanliness, hygienic conditions, and meals. For FIT and leisure activities from India, Oman offers a variety of hotels and venues to select from for various events. The local and Indian cuisine was enjoyed by all. The participants were delighted to eat real Indian food in Oman. As Indian luxury travelers place a high value on food, so …