MUSCAT: Visit Oman, a high-level roundtable at the premiere travel industry event, ITB Berlin, was organised by the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council. Maitha bint Saif al Mahrouqiyah, Oman's Ambassador to Germany, attended the roundtable as the guest of honour.
The event welcomed senior executives from Trip.com, Sabre, Travelzoo, Mastercard, ICF and MMGY, representing some of the influential travel and tourism companies across Germany, France, China, the Middle East, the US and the UK.
The discussions focused on practical methodologies for integrating sustainability into destination management, travel technology and tourism investment, while Oman shed light on the National Priorities of Oman Vision 2040 related to sustainability, the initiatives carried out to achieve Oman’s National Strategy for an Orderly Transition to Net-Zero, Oman’s first net-zero energy city by 2025 (The Sustainable City Yiti), and local communities as a crucial component of sustainable tourism.
Dr Hashil al Mahrouqi, Chief Executive Officer of OMRAN Group, said, “Sustainability is a core pillar of our tourism development strategy, driving economic growth while preserving Oman’s natural and cultural heritage. Through our ESG framework, we integrate responsible tourism principles to minimise environmental impact, empower local communities and enhance governance, ensuring long-term resilience. As a key enabler of Oman Vision 2040, we are committed to fostering a sustainable tourism ecosystem that aligns with global best practices."
Shabib al Maamari, Managing Director of Visit Oman, said, “Our collaboration with the Resilience Council offers us an excellent opportunity to engage with and learn from global sustainability leaders in the sector, ensuring Oman remains at the forefront of responsible tourism. Recognising that over 80 per cent of travellers prioritise sustainable travel and seek authentic, eco-conscious experiences, our strategic focus is on accelerating the accessibility of Omani tourism offerings through digital distribution. By closely collaborating with our local partners, we are actively adapting our strategies to not only meet but exceed these evolving traveller expectations.”
The roundtable event coincides with the announcement of the Resilience Council’s strengthened 2025 international Executive Leaders network. OMRAN Group, under the leadership of Dr Hashil al Mahrouqi, has joined the council's ‘Global’ division. Additionally, Visit Oman, led by Shabib al Maamari, will serve as the ‘Middle East & North Africa’ representative.
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