Oman
Oman tourism report provides detailed analysis of travel market
Omani tourism currently relies on visitors, to the south west coast, many of them from other Gulf countries. The authorities believe that Salalah, which has a much more temperate climate than most other cities within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), is the key to attracting tourists to this once completely closed state. This area catches the Indian Ocean monsoon between June and September. While most of the Gulf region suffers from extreme dry heat during that time, the Dhofar province has a cool and misty summer, although travellers from outside the Gulf may not see the attraction of a cool, damp 25C summer holiday.
Although still a tiny industry there, tourism is being heavily promoted and, according to a study by Standard Chartered published in August 2009, the country's tourism industry has shown resilience during the global slowdown and flu pandemic. According to the report, the number of tourist arrivals over the first five months of 2009 rose by 17.5% year-on-year (y-o-y) and revenues rose by 3.9%. Unlike other GCC states, Oman has relatively minor oil and gas reserves and so has needed to find other sources of revenue. The most recent initiative is a regional one: Iran and Oman have agreed to promote tourism between the two countries and undertake joint promotions to third countries. Oman's image has been helped by the completion of two new major projects, The Wave and The Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club, and by another vote of confidence in the sector, when Swiss-Belhotel International signed a memorandum of understanding to build a four-star business hotel in Al Khuwair in Muscat in August 2009.
Oman plans to attract 12mn visitors annually by 2020, an almost sixfold increase on the current level. The focus of discussion is how this can be achieved while maintaining the ‘authentic' character of the country. The director of sales and marketing at the Chedi Hotel in Muscat, Lore Koenig, said that tourists come to Oman for its culture and history, not because there is a cheap deal going or for guaranteed sunshine.
Oman Tourism Report Q1 2010: http://www.companiesandmarkets.com/r.ashx?id=CW21X23B0191821
Comments
The Sultanate of Oman has a unique mix of destinations which if rightly marketed should be able to draw the right profile of tourists.
The destinations range from the fjords in the Musandam region, pristine coast line through out the country's eastern side, arid desert regions in central parts and mountaneous Dhofar region. Most of the destinations are well connected by world-class roads from one or other major city. A short drive from Muscat can take a tourist to the interiors with attractios like springs, falaj systems (traditional irrigation), towering mountains and quaint forts.
However, to achieve what they have set out for, the government has to act as a catalyst and create an organization which would build and operate tourist facilities like motels, budget hotels at various destinations and transit points. This impetus will be required for the next 15 odd years and then these properties can be auctioned away to private chains.
The people of Oman are very hospitable, gentle and tolerant by nature. They are doing well in the arena of hospitality. However, employment opportunities will arise only when there are adequate number of hotel/motel projects in the country and even these need to be located at the right places. Adding deluxe 7 star properties in the capital will not really contribute to the tourism master plan, it will only make a dent in the existing market share of other hotels.
So, All the best to Oman and its people. You can surely achieve your targets but a little bit of course correction is required.
It will be interesting to see how Oman will attract 12mn visitors annually by 2020, an almost sixfold increase on the current level while maintaining the ˜authentic' character of the country.
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