OMAN will be showcasing its US$35 billion tourism masterplan at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) as the sultanate expects more growth in the years ahead.
According to Oman Airports Management Company, Oman’s airports in Muscat and Salalah recorded an 18 per cent rise in passenger numbers in 2015, surpassing the 10 million passenger mark for the first time in its operational history, while Salalah Airport also saw a rise in traffic by 22 per cent to reach more than one million passengers.
Oman saw inbound tourism numbers rise by an average of 7.4 per cent per annum in the decade 2005-14, and targets 1.4 million international tourism arrivals by 2019, up from 1.1 million in 2015.
Oman Ministry of Tourism forecasted hotel room capacity to expand at an annual growth rate of 5.3 per cent over the next three to four years and make up 10 per cent of the GDP by 2020.
Nadege Noblet-Segers, exhibition manager, ATM
“Oman’s tourism strategy for 2015 through to 2040 has an investment value of US$35 billion and the country is working hard to increase its global appeal with exciting initiatives such as the launch of an e-visa system by Royal Oman Police in February last year,” said Nadege Noblet-Segers, ATM’s exhibition manager.
Oman Air is also working to draw tourists to Oman by improving the city’s accessibility, for example, by launching a new route to Dhaka and enhancing the passenger capacity of flights to Frankfurt, Colombo, Tehran and Dammam.
ATM will be held in Dubai from February 25 to 28.
