The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is working on National Tourism Strategy 2040, which will include tourism-friendly initiatives, investments in infrastructure, tourist attractions, capacity building, and the establishment of specialised investment zones for tourism development.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Travel Week - Middle East, organised by Connections Luxury, Azzan bin Qasim al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, said: "Tourism sector in the Sultanate of Oman is witnessing a steady growth with 4 million visitors arriving in the country last year, including cruise passengers, sports enthusiasts, and event attendees and among others."
More than 180 companies from the Sultanate of Oman and abroad are taking part in the event, titled 'Connections Luxury Middle East.'
He said that the ministry has plans for the sector with over $5.9 billion in investments for 360 projects, with a strong focus on the 2050 net-zero emissions target and as part of the efforts to develop integrated tourist complexes and preserve heritage sites and historical monuments.
He added: “At the ministry as we unveil our National Tourism Strategy 2040 and bring to life the ambitions of Oman Vision 2040 under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, we are focused on creating an environment where Tourism can flourish and grow.
"We are achieving this through the introduction of tourism-friendly legislation and enterprise-driven initiatives, investment in infrastructure and attractions, capacity building, the creation of specialised investment zones for tourism development and more”.
Haitham bin Mohammed al Ghassani, Director-General of Tourism Promotion, said, "The ministry was able to host the third edition of the World Travel Week to provide companies an opportunity to meet their counterparts from other countries, specialised in adventure and luxury tourism and conferences, in addition to organising introductory visits to tourist sites in Muscat and other governorates to know tourist attractions and accommodation facilities.
Al Ghassani said that 14 tourism companies were chosen to conduct familiarisation trips in Dhofar Governorate. The visits, which will cover heritage sites and tourism landmarks, include the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Salalah, Al Hisn Palace, Al Hisn Market, Al Baleed Archaeological Park, the Land of Frankincense Museum, Samhan Mountain, Wadi Darbat, the Samharam Archaeological Park, Taqah Castle and Kofan heritage hostel.
Bruno Willey, a travel adviser, said, "The Sultanate of Oman has carved its initiative in the tourist sector, which has started showing results in the past few years. It is not right to compare different markets. The tourism sector is quite established and some of the projects that will be completed in the new year are promising."
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