Tag Archives: Oman

With the tourist sector in Oman recovering following lifting of curbs by several countries, the country recorded a mammoth 32,570 Indian tourist arrivals in May 2022, the highest so far since 2012. A total of 13,481 Indian travelers visited Oman in January 2022, compared to 7,340 of the corresponding month in 2021. 

As a cornerstone of Oman’s tourism, the MICE industry is regarded as one of the Sultanate’s most essential pillars of business tourism. The Sultanate is emerging as a top international MICE destination, with one of the largest conference centres in the region, the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, constructed close to Muscat International Airport. Oman’s famed hospitality, the plethora of exceptional activities available, as well as its distinctive architecture, culture, and tradition, add to its allure, together with a large selection of top-notch hotels and all the necessary infrastructure. On 31 May 2022, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) held its 31st congress at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, which was hosted by the Oman Journalists Association. Sayyid Asaad bin Tarik al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Personal Representative of His Majesty the Sultan, inaugurated the triennial congress. Sayyid Asaad welcomed the delegates and commended the Oman Journalists Association for hosting “this great international press and media gathering,” emphasising the Sultanate’s delight in hosting the event. He characterised it as an opportunity for attendees to learn about Oman’s resurgence in all domains, as well as the Sultanate’s tourism, culture, and economic prospects to the worldwide media. The agenda for the four-day conference covered a wide range of topics, including debates about the influence of the media on society and a gathering of the Federation of Asia-Pacific Journalists (FAPAJ). The convention has grown in prominence as the Middle East’s most important journalism and media event on a local, regional, and international level. The triennial congress, organised in collaboration with the Oman Journalists’ Association (OJA), aimed to assist Oman in establishing its position on the …

Following a two-year hiatus, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman has restarted promotional strategies aimed at sector operators, media, and Indian consumers. The Ministry will oversee the development and promotion of tourism in the Sultanate under the direction of His Excellency Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, the new Minister. In line with this, Oman Tourism has named Buzz Travel Marketing India as its new Indian representative. The alliance intends to successfully increase the destination’s reach in India. Through its extensive network and dynamic team of professionals, Buzz Travel Marketing India will ensure that Oman’s diverse tourist attractions reach every travelling Indian.The organisation’s marketing initiatives for Oman will be positioned to meet the needs and developments that have shaped travel demand in recent years, such as the preference for large spaces, seeking experiences in harmony with nature to rejuvenate in complete safety, and connecting with the locals and the culture. Oman is recognised for its rich cultural heritage and traditions, as well as the art of hospitality and hearty welcome. “Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is happy to re-enter the Indian market and is looking forward to growing business with Buzz, since India is one of our most fruitful markets for Oman. The Vision 2040 of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is to position Oman to be all-year-round top-of-mind destination for culture-lovers, experience seekers, travellers passionate about adventure, and MICE, attracting more than 5 million international tourists annually with a high yield, travelling to the Sultanate to discover extraordinary one-of-a-kind experiences based on the country’s unique features,” says Saada Al Harthi, Director of Business Development, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.

     Based on the decisions of the Supreme Committee for dealing with COVID-19, the Civil Aviation Authority has informed all passengers and aircraft operators in the Sultanate of Oman that all precautionary measures and procedures of COVID-19 in civil aviation sector of the Sultanate of Oman are lifted.

Food and hospitality in Oman contribute with their presence to its economic development and also serve as a showcase for the hospitality industry in terms of growth, development and latest trends. The business and networking platform for companies and stakeholders is used by the industry to introduce the newest products and services in the areas of food, beverage, agriculture, fishing, cooking, and processing. Hotel chains across Muscat are famous for revving up dishes that are nothing short of gastronomic delights. The quality of food that you will receive on your holiday in Oman and the Gulf region has improved, especially when you are outside Muscat. One such hotel where guests find themselves in the lap of luxury is the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, which is nestled amongst the rugged mountains. The hotel has a plethora of amenities that make for a comfortable stay for its guests. The Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, apt for a family vacation or an adrenaline-pushing romantic adventure, has two wings—Al Waha, “The Oasis,” and Al Bandar, “The Town.” While Al Waha is ideal for families, Al Bandar is the heart of the resort, catering to business and leisure travellers alike. Meetings and conferences take place in the latter. Both hotels boast a gamut of activities ranging from watersports to a kids’ club, a secluded spa, and several dining options. Overlooking 500-metres of coastline, it is difficult to pull oneself away from the AL Bandar. Like its name suggests, it is akin to a town with a mélange of restaurants. After you savour the exquisite Arabian flavours of tender roasted meats at Al Tanoor restaurant, you decide to take home a piece of Oman with the intricately-designed …

Oman has a plethora of exciting activities to enjoy during the colder months, as well as tranquil beaches to cool off on during the scorching-hot summer months. While the Gulf area is commonly associated with skyscrapers and five-star resorts, Oman remains one of the prized Arabian pearls that can reconnect one with the diverse traditions and customs of a civilisation that extends back hundreds of thousands of years. More and more people are flocking to Oman to discover what makes this country so special, including marine life off the southern coast of Dhofar Province, a wealth of rich history to discover in Muscat, mountains and deserts to discover, and a paradise of extravagant festivals to discover. Oman also has a terrific infrastructure that is excellent for visitors and is a safe place to visit solo or in groups. Experience Oman’s diverse heritage Ancient mosques, forts, and tombs tell the narrative of the battles, beliefs, and people who shaped this distinct region of the Middle East. The majority of these architectural marvels are open to the public all year and are among the most spectacular relics of the pre-modern Islamic world. Many breathtaking ancient sites adorn the country’s historic cities. Their roots reflect Oman’s many influences and layers of history, with some going back to the Sassanid Empire, the last Persian Empire kingdom before the emergence of Islam. Five Omani sites have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Despite the extraordinary developments that have happened in Oman over the years, the country has remained committed to its traditional arts and crafts. A variety of customs, ranging from music and dances that differ by location, are still widely practiced today. …

The Philippines will lift travel restrictions on passengers coming from 10 countries beginning September 6, Malacañang announced on Saturday.”President Rodrigo Roa Duterte approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to lift the current travel restrictions in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia starting Sept. 6, 2021,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

According to a report by ResearchAndMarkets.com titled ‘India Outbound Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (M!CE) Tourism to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries – Market Trends and Opportunities to 2025’ released in December 2019, UAE is the top destination for Indian MICE tourists. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain accounted for more than 15 per cent of the share of the total outbound MICE spending by Indians in 2018. The India outbound MICE market to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is set to surpass US$ 5 Billion by 2025. The report uses a country-focused analysis to explore India outbound MICE tourism market to GCC countries. The report includes historical data from 2014-2018 and forecasts until 2025. It covers six GCC nations: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain.

The Ministry of Tourism, Oman, has successfully conducted the second leg of the multi-city roadshow in Mumbai. The event witnessed participation from around 140 companies to bridge connections between local travel agents and destination management companies in Oman. The unique interactive platform with pre-fixed meetings gave trade partners and travel agents an opportunity to interact and learn more about the diverse product offerings and experiences that Oman has to offer. Her Excellency, Maitha Saif Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Tourism (MOT), said, “The objective of the roadshow is to highlight the various facets of Oman as a destination and to create awareness about the new segments and offerings that the country has to offer. We see India as a promising potential market and have witnessed significant growth over a period of time. We recognise and acknowledge the demand from India and other potential markets. Hence, as part of the Sultanate’s National Tourism Strategy 2040, the Ministry of Tourism seeks to introduce the sector’s latest developments, services, projects and facilities of the tourism industry like opening the new passenger terminal at Muscat International Airport and launching the electronic visa.” Commenting on the roadshow, Lubaina Sheerazi, India Representative, Ministry of Tourism, Oman, said, “The roadshow offers us a platform to expose the uniqueness of Oman as a holiday destination from India. From luxurious resorts and campsites to exotic scuba diving spots to rustic shopping experiences, Oman has something to offer to anyone who has a quest for adventure and thirst for a distinctive cultural experience. Oman is not only seeing a surge in MiCE travel, but is also a preferred wedding destination for many.”

The Ministry of Tourism, Oman successfully conducted the first leg of its multi-city roadshow in Delhi at The Taj Mahal Hotel. Her Excellency Maitha Saif Al Mahrouqim, Undersecretary, Ministry of Tourism, Oman; Sunil VA, Regional Vice President, ISC, Oman Air and Lubaina Sheerazi, India Representative – Ministry of Tourism, Oman along with other representatives were present at the roadshow. On the occasion, Mahrouqi said that Oman has witnessed over 31 per cent growth in Indian arrivals since 2014. “In 2017 alone, Oman received 321,161 Indian visitors with a growth of over 7 per cent in just one year. In the first six months of 2018, the country witnessed 15 per cent growth in comparison to the same period last year. Oman is a ideal for every kind of traveller but we are looking to focus immensely on MiCE opportunities from India.” Furthermore, to encourage more travellers to visit the country, Oman has recently announced a new short-term tourist visa at 5 Omani Riyal (OMR) equivalent to approximately Rs 940 to visit the Sultanate for a period of 10 days. This is in addition to the existing e-visa for Oman which is available at 20 OMR with a validity of one month.