1st annual tourism security symposium on January 19

MUSCAT, Jan 18

Global experts in tourism security, hospitality safety and risk management will converge in Oman for the first annual symposium on the Security of Tourism Facilities 2026, a landmark event aimed at enhancing safety and sustainability across the country’s fast-growing tourism sector.

Held under the auspices of Azzan bin Qasim al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, the symposium is organised by Security and Safety Services and will take place from Monday, January 19, to Tuesday, January 20, at Kempinski Hotel, Al Mouj.

Recognised as one of the most specialised tourism security events on the 2026 calendar, the symposium will bring together senior security leaders, international consultants, policymakers and top executives from the hotel and hospitality industry.

The two-day forum is designed as a high-level knowledge-sharing platform to transfer global expertise, localise international best practices and support the sustainable growth of Oman’s tourism ecosystem.

The symposium will be led by Brig Gen (Retd) Saeed bin Suleiman Al Asmi, Chief Executive Officer of Security and Safety Services. With more than three decades of experience in policing operations and national security policy development, Al Asmi is widely recognised for his contributions to critical infrastructure protection, preventive security strategies and institutional sustainability frameworks.

Joining him is Kate Ainslie, a globally respected hospitality safety and security specialist with extensive experience working with major international brands including Hilton and Soho House. Kate is known for her expertise in regulatory compliance and for fostering strong safety cultures within hotel operations, supported by advanced academic training in terrorism and security studies.

Another key international participant is Steven Thompson, a leading authority in tourism and aviation security with over 20 years of consultancy experience advising governments, airport authorities and port operators worldwide. Steven will share insights on maintaining robust security standards while preserving a seamless visitor experience, in line with ICAO and IATA international frameworks.

The symposium will also welcome Callum Anderson, a senior tourism and hospitality operations leader with more than 25 years of experience managing international airports and high-density travel environments. Anderson is particularly recognised for his leadership in post-Covid-19 recovery strategies, driving operational and financial excellence while enhancing traveller confidence and satisfaction.

Adding further depth to the discussions is Michael O’Neill, CSyP, Managing Director of Optimal Risk Group and one of the world’s foremost certified security professionals. With a background that bridges military service and private-sector leadership, Michael brings extensive expertise in risk management, organisational resilience and security policy development in complex and high-risk environments. He is also an influential member of the British Security Institute.

National perspectives will be highlighted through the participation of Yousef bin Rashid al Mafrigi, Acting Director of Human Resource Development for the Heritage and Tourism Sectors at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.

Al Mafrigi will present a paper titled ‘Enhancing Hotel Security to Achieve a Safe Tourism Environment’, emphasising the importance of institutional policies, workforce development and public-private partnerships in strengthening security preparedness.

A central theme of the 2026 symposium is Smart Tourism Security, positioned as a strategic link between risk management, technological innovation and economic sustainability.

Sessions will explore the role of advanced technologies, data analytics and modern governance frameworks in building resilient tourism infrastructure. International studies indicate that smart security systems can reduce operational risks by up to 35 per cent, while simultaneously improving guest satisfaction and investor confidence.

The symposium forms a key pillar of its 2026 strategy to build an advanced security knowledge ecosystem. The initiative aims to strengthen Oman’s tourism sector through qualified human capital, innovative security solutions and effective international collaboration.

The symposium marks an important milestone in positioning Oman as a regional model for integrating security, technology and economic sustainability — reinforcing its reputation as a safe, resilient and investment-attractive tourism destination.