Oman has seen a record year in terms of international passenger arrivals to Muscat International Airport in 2012 according to IATA. Muscat recorded 2.6 million arrivals, an increase of eight per cent from 2011. These arrivals are in addition to increased road activity and cruise-ship arrivals.
Lubaina Sheerazi, India Representative, Sultanate of Oman said, “The year 2012 has been quite significant for Oman in terms of arrivals. India is Oman’s largest inbound market, recording 7,23,632 passenger arrivals in 2012, with premium travelers accounting for 12 per cent. In 2012, there were 1, 85, 482 transit passengers from India with premium passenger movements accounting for around 16 per cent of the total traffic. Tourism is making a major contribution to Oman’s economy in the past few years and our efforts to promote Oman as a leisure destination in India have been well received.”
Oman’s initiatives in 2012 included a global awareness campaign on BBC Worldwide television and BBC.com, an industry-backed stopover campaign with Oman Air (1 Free Night in Oman) and the Muscat Arab Tourism Capital 2012 campaign. Additionally, the Government of Oman has made sweeping changes to its tourism visa arrangements. These allow stopover passengers to enjoy a stay up to 10 days at a cost of 5 Omani Rial.
For 2013, the Ministry will be investing in its global awareness campaign — Beauty has an address. The campaign is linked to trade, media and consumer campaigns managed through Oman Tourism’s international offices. Authenticity, originality and innovation are core elements of the Ministry’s marketing strategy. The Ministry has also adopted a unique tourism strategy in 2013 to increase the market share of arrivals from market segments for Oman. The strategy involves delivering quality tourism experiences. Oman will also see an increase in overall room inventory to around 3000 in 2013-2014.
“We are targeting the ‘neo’ well educated, information rich travelers looking for an authentic experience. The kind of travelers who want to learn in their leisure time, seek quality experience and are responsible and respectful of our culture. We are expecting a 12-15 per cent increase in leisure travelers from India. In India, we have made our presence felt in Tier I cities in the past years and the way forward in 2013 is to penetrate into the Tier II cities like Pune, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. India has a swiftly growing outbound traveler segment that is keen on engaging in new experiences. We think Indians will connect with a destination like Oman as its rich culture, tradition and hospitality is something that Indian’s will identify with and appreciate besides its picturesque locations,” added Sheerazi.
Oman is also focusing on business tourism and in 2017 will see the opening of 3,000 seat world-class convention and exhibition centre. This will enable Oman to host major meetings, incentive, conventions and exhibitions events. The 22,000m facility will be complemented with four hotels with a total of 1,000 rooms, and a business park.
