Friday, March 29, 2024 | Ramadan 18, 1445 H
clear sky
weather
OMAN
25°C / 25°C
EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Marriages are made in Oman

1115382
1115382
minus
plus

The Sultanate is steadily becoming a preferred choice of affluent wedding planners who look for new trends to celebrate the special day. According to officials in the travel and tourism sector, there have been a lot of potential enquiries from many countries following the recent mega Indian marriages celebrated at different venues in Oman. “We are successfully promoting Oman around the world, especially in India”, said Salim Adi al Mamari, Director-General of Tourism Promotion.


Beautiful locations, authentic Arab culture, and pleasing locals are the three main aspects, which attract those looking for high fat wedding destinations in Oman.


With the marriage season set to begin in Asian and European countries, especially in India, Oman’s luxury hotels and resorts are bracing for the occasion.


According to estimates, the wedding market in India is worth more than $25 billion a year and growing at an estimated 20 per cent annually.


Oman has witnessed 82 per cent growth in Indian arrivals in the last five years.


Reports indicate that the Sultanate received 297,628 arrivals from India in 2016, as compared to 256,210 arrivals in 2014, marking almost 16 per cent growth in two years.


In July, Indian visitors to the Sultanate formed the second largest number with 7.6 per cent in July this year.


In the last three years, Oman has hosted at least 12 big Indian weddings.


“Since weddings are an important part of Indian culture, we are constantly striving to promote Oman for destination weddings,” said Al Mamari.


Oman boasts several high-end luxury properties like Shangri-La, Grand Hyatt, Al Bustan-Ritz Carlton, Millenium and The Chedi that provide honeymooners the luxury and privacy they require.


There are also other options for them to go to faraway places in small towns and find boutique resorts and hotels in the country with almost similar customised facilities.


According to Lubaina Sheerazi, the ministry of tourism’s permanent representative to India, the growth rate has been phenomenal in the last two years


“We have seen a positive growth in the recent years. Two high-profile weddings have already taken place in early 2016, with one being held in the Al Bustan Palace and second in Millennium Hotel”, she said.


Sasha Rawal, sister of Bollywood’s leading fashion designer Kunal Rawal, with Samarth Bajaj, scion of a prominent business family from Hyderabad, was a grand affair at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa.


With regular wedding roadshows and events, the ministry has established a permanent reference point for interested couples from the subcontinent seeking to experience the warmth and beauty of Oman as a wedding destination.


Apart from the thrill in unmatched selection of luxury resorts to host their wedding ceremony and reception, couples can celebrate their days between the epic mountains and dramatic seashore of


Oman.


And what serves as the crème de la crème of the entire experience is the presence of five-star, luxury hotels and resorts all over the country’s prized natural terrain to give to couples a wedding that is not only steeped in scenic wonder and panoramic beauty,


but pure Omani luxury and indulgence as well.


Last week, Oman Tourism announced the launch of its global advertising campaign for the upcoming season that went live on television and other digital platforms. The campaign captures the essence of Oman at different levels and highlights diverse aspects of the destination.


SAMUEL KUTTY


SHARE ARTICLE
arrow up
home icon