Tourism
From The Report: Oman 2015
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Arrivals at Muscat International Airport grew from 7.56m in 2012 to reach 8.31m in 2013, and this rising trend looks set to continue as the sultanate rolls out infrastructure development plans and increases its offerings for visitors. Across the country smaller airports are undergoing expansion that will allow larger planes to land, while rail development in the sultanate will see 2244 km of rail laid in the coming years, boosting connectivity with neighbouring countries. Oman is also looking to establish a presence in the international MICE segment, with the recently opened Oman Conference and Exhibition Centre leading the drive to attract more events to the sultanate. Luxury enclaves along the coast have boosted high-end offerings, and the sultanate is also keen to promote itself as a golf and sailing destination. This chapter contains an interview with Ahmed bin Nasser bin Hamad Al Mehrizi, Minister of Tourism.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Planning and investment are leading to sector growth
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Stretching from the heart of what was once known as “Arabia Felix” (Happy Arabia) to the craggy, flooded coastlines of the Musandam Peninsula, the sultanate of Oman possesses an enormous variety of landscapes and environments. It also has a population known for its great friendliness to visitors, its tolerance of different faiths and beliefs, and for its great pride in its long tradition and heritage. With such attributes, the fundamental ingredients for success for the local tourism industry…

Analysis

Building up anticipation and support for sport
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While racing camels, horses and dhows number among Oman’s traditional sports, recent years have seen the sultanate engage in a range of more internationally popular activities. Golf, sailing, football and even cricket tournaments are all part of putting the country on the global sports tourism map, raising its profile as an international leisure destination. This engagement dovetails with the sultanate’s plans to develop the health and living standards of its population, with a major drive to…

Analysis

Conserving natural landscapes and habitats as visitor numbers grow
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Perched on a rocky headland just minutes drive from Khasab, in Oman’s Musandam exclave, the Atana Musandam hotel represents not only a major advance for the sultanate’s own new hospitality chain, but also a striking attempt to balance tourism development with environmental and social sustainability. The Atana Musandam won the Best Sustainable Project award at the 2014 Dossier Construction and Awards summit, not long after it had launched. The hotel sources much of its food and produce locally,…

Interview

Ahmed bin Nasser bin Hamad Al Mehrzi, Minister of Tourism: Interview
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Interview: Ahmed bin Nasser bin Hamad Al Mehrzi To what extent does focusing on high-end tourism impede GDP contribution, and how is this strategy being reviewed to broaden appeal? AHMED BIN NASSER BIN HAMAD AL MEHRZI: We plan for tourism to be the fourth-largest sector in the economy, and while we still view high-end tourism as a profitable endeavour in terms of its high contribution to GDP, we are not losing sight of guided, mass tourism opportunities. Ministry of Tourism (MoT) policies seek…

Analysis

Enticing young Omanis in an effort to reach Omanisation targets
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With a due date of May 2015, Oman’s new National Tourism Strategy aims to address a range of key challenges in the sector. Amongst these is the ongoing issue of human resources, particularly since one of the main rationales for the high-profile focus on the sector is its ability to deliver jobs as well as tourism receipts. Yet in the area of human resources, there is room for improvement, as many jobs in the sector continue to be performed by expatriates. Changing the balance towards greater Omani…