7pc jump in Indian tourists to Oman in 2017

MUSCAT, APRIL 17

An estimated 320,000 Indian tourists travelled to the Sultanate in 2017, representing a seven per cent increase over corresponding figures for 2016, according to the Tourism Ministry’s Representative in India.

Lubaina Sheerazi (pictured) said tourist arrivals from India have been growing at significant rates in recent years — a trend set to burgeon even further on the back of newly introduced visa-on-arrival policies in the Sultanate, she noted.

“In the last five years, Oman has witnessed over 23 per cent growth in Indian arrivals. In 2016, Oman received 297,628 Indian arrivals as compared to 256,210 arrivals in 2014, over 16 per cent growth in two years. In 2017, Oman has received remarkably higher Indian arrivals (321,161), showcasing growth of over seven per cent in just one year,” the local Indian travel magazine Destination Reporter quoted her as stating.

According to the Tourism Representative, India ranks among five leading source markets that the Sultanate is looking to aggressively tap in order to boost tourist arrivals. Also in Oman’s sights are the six-member GCC bloc, UK & Ireland, France and Italy, she said.

“India is one of the key markets for Oman and we are certain that this proactive initiative by the ministry will augment footfalls,” said Sheerazi. “We are certain that the revised visa-on-arrival policies will offer expediency and convenience to travellers who have valid visas for the US, Canada, Australia, UK and Schengen States. It will encourage more impromptu trips to the Sultanate. With the revised visa regulations, we expect Indian arrivals across all segments, especially leisure and visitors to conventions and exhibitions, to grow exponentially,” she stated.

Oman’s tourism industry, said the representative, is looking to ramp up its product offering to enhance the Sultanate’s appeal to a broader section of holidaymakers. ”Oman in the recent years has gained immense popularity with mature and evolved travellers. We aim to expand our horizons in terms of travel and tourism experiences for families, solo travellers, women travellers, honeymooners, adventure seekers, big fat destination weddings, and MICE,” she said.

Also auguring well for greater tourist inflows is rapidly improving air connectivity between Oman and India, said Sheerazi. National carrier Oman Air already connects Muscat with an array of major Indian cities, while Indian carriers such as Air India, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and IndiGo also operate to a number of cities across the country.

“Our communication and marketing channels reach most of these cities that we consider as our target markets. However, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad and Kolkata are our primary source markets,” she added.