Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) announced on Wednesday the signing of a landmark global partnership to support the Ironman World Series for a period of five years starting from 2026. With this agreement, the Sultanate of Oman becomes the first country in the world to secure an official partnership as the principal tourism destination for the Ironman World Championships.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Mandarin Hotel Muscat under the auspices of Salim bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi, MHT Minister, and in the presence of Scott DeRue, CEO of the Ironman Group.
The ministry confirmed that the partnership will showcase Oman’s promotional identity across all global championships, on the official website of the Ironman Group, and in all promotional content and media campaigns linked to the series.
The branding will also highlight Oman’s heritage and tourism landmarks across advertising and marketing platforms.
Through this agreement, the ministry aims to highlight the Sultanate of Oman’s diverse tourism potential, boost the promotion of its destinations through the global Ironman competitions, and stimulate cultural and sports tourism. The initiative is designed to attract more international visitors from different markets, further strengthening Oman’s position as a unique tourism destination on the global stage.
The ministry also seeks to position Oman as a leading global hub for adventure tourism, offering unique trails, natural terrains, and geological diversity suited for multi-level sporting challenges.
Oman already fulfils international safety and security requirements and is home to licensed professional institutions that provide adventure tourism experiences.
In addition, the partnership will maximise the economic and social benefits of hosting international sporting events, making Oman an important regional hub in the Middle East for world-class tourism and sports competitions. The ministry emphasised that the initiative will enhance local content, support the job market, empower local enterprises, and deliver direct economic returns.
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