Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has embarked on a strategic mission to augment its global tourism profile. Launching a robust campaign in India, the Sultanate’s second-most prodigious source of tourists, Oman is set to unfurl its captivating array of attractions amplifying Oman-India tourism.
A grand roadshow, unveiled in the heart of New Delhi, is Oman’s beacon to the Indian tourist market. This itinerant spectacle, scheduled to grace Jaipur and Kolkata, culminates in Mumbai on July 31. With a primary focus on familiarising Indian tourists with Oman’s unique selling points, this initiative paints an engaging picture of the Sultanate’s diverse heritage, landscapes, and culture.
At the inaugural event, Asmaa bint Salim al Hajri, the dynamic Assistant Director General of Tourism Promotion, shared some fascinating data on Indian visitation to Oman. Oman witnessed an impressive 355,459 Indian visitors in 2022, a significant surge from 106,042 tourists in 2021. This increment underscores India’s vital role in Oman’s tourism narrative, contributing 12.2% of all tourists to the country, with only the GCC countries proving more prolific.
Asmaa underscored the road show’s integral role in spotlighting Oman as a must-visit destination. “This initiative reflects the ministry’s ongoing endeavors to highlight Oman as a top travel destination, aiming to boost tourism inflow from our key markets.”
Addressing the audience in New Delhi, H E Issa bin Saleh al Shaibani, Oman’s Ambassador to India, elaborated on the historical bond shared between Oman and India. Celebrating their robust cooperation across various sectors, he singled out tourism as a flourishing area of mutual interest. Ambassador Shaibani stressed on the crucial role of events like these in exhibiting the progression of Oman’s tourism industry.
He endorsed travel packages offered by Omani tourism companies, suggesting their appeal to the Indian market and their potential to deepen bilateral ties.
Oman’s tourism narrative is also experiencing a phenomenal upturn. The first five months of 2023 recorded 1,548,630 visitors – a meaningful growth of 95.1% compared to the same period last year.
Riding on the tourism boom wave, Oman’s hospitality sector is relishing the benefits. Revenues of 3- to 5-star hotels rose to a remarkable $98.431mn, indicating a 34.7% elevation from the corresponding period in 2022. Guest arrivals at these establishments noted a substantial 27.3% increase.
This campaign is evidence of Oman’s unwavering dedication to promoting its unique cultural and historical assets, reinforcing its stance as a must-visit destination for the thriving Indian outbound tourist market.
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