BANGKOK: The Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Thailand have explored avenues to deepen cooperation in tourism, with a focus on joint promotion, destination management and the development of integrated visitor experiences.
The discussions took place during an official visit by Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said al Busaidy, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, to Thailand, where he met with Thapani Kiatphaipol, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The meeting centred on strengthening bilateral ties in the tourism sector and facilitating the exchange of expertise in promotion and development strategies.
During the visit, the Omani delegation was briefed on Thailand’s experience in building a globally competitive tourism industry, particularly its success in attracting international markets and adopting a high-value tourism model. Thailand’s approach to leveraging digital technologies and embedding sustainability across tourism activities was also highlighted as a key area of interest.
Both sides underscored the importance of enhancing collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders, including travel and tourism companies, to unlock new opportunities for growth. Discussions also covered sustainable tourism practices, community-based initiatives and mechanisms for managing and recovering from tourism-related disruptions.
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to fostering practical partnerships that enhance the global visibility of their destinations while improving the quality and competitiveness of tourism offerings.
The visit forms part of a broader outreach programme by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism to engage with leading global tourism markets and institutions, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
On the sidelines, Al Busaidy participated in the World Sustainable Tourism Conference, organised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council in Phuket. The conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders and experts to examine the future of sustainable tourism.
Key themes included sustainable hospitality, enhancing the resilience of cities and tourism communities, and managing visitor flows to balance growth with resource conservation.
Al Busaidy also held bilateral meetings with international tourism officials and experts, focusing on the adoption of global best practices in destination management, improving hotel efficiency and deploying smart solutions for visitor management.
The participation underscores Oman’s commitment to advancing sustainable tourism and strengthening its position in international tourism platforms, while safeguarding its natural and cultural assets for future generations. — ONA
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