BERLIN: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MoHT) signed in Berlin on Tuesday a cooperation programme with the Cruise Arabia Alliance to accelerate promotional efforts for attracting international companies operating cruise ships.
The cooperation programme was inked on the sidelines of ITB Berlin Convention 2024 by Azzan bin Qasim al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism and members of Cruise Arabia Alliance (who are officials of departments and authorities concerned in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Bahrain).
Khalid bin Mohammed al Azri, Director of Tourism Patterns at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said that ITB Berlin offers a real opportunity to conclude such an agreement aimed at consolidating cooperation among GCC states in the field of marine tourism.
Al Azri said that the number of tourists arriving onboard cruise ships in Oman in 2023 was more promising, compared to the figures registered in the pre-pandemic period. He explained that the number of visitors to Oman onboard cruise ships stood at more than 321,000 during 2023.
Al Azri pointed out that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism seeks to allocate 11 seaports in Oman for cruise ships and yachts of various sizes.
He added that the Ministry recently finalised preparations for a special study on marine tourism sector in Oman. “It will be the first integrated study of its kind and it is bound to bolster the growth of cruise ship and yacht visits, maximise economic benefits and generate new employment opportunities”, Al Azri said. — ONA
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