Tourism Ministry gets overwhelming response
The Ministry of Tourism represented the Sultanate in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai recently, where it exhibited a number of products, services and new tourism projects that received an overwhelming response from visitors at the Forum. Oman’s ATM delegation was led by Maitha bint Saif al Mahrouqi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism.
On the sidelines of the ATM, the Under-Secretary participated in the Ministerial Forum of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) at the Dubai World Trade Centre; along with representatives from Tourism Ministries and organisations.
The Forum’s participants highlighted the importance of tourism sector in enhancing economic growth, as well as the plans for diversification within the sector in the Middle East region and North Africa (MENA). Additionally, the Ministerial Forum provided an opportunity for participants to emphasise the crucial need for developing human resources, strengthening the partnership between the private and government bodies, adopting the latest technology, and the need for sustainable solutions to serve the sector in the region.
Oman participates in the ATM annually, as it is considered the largest international gathering specialised in tourism in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Major contributors and decisionmakers in tourism-related activities participate in the ATM; namely — airlines, hotels, shipping companies, conference centres, hotels, resorts, tour organisers, senior executives in the tourism sector and travel agencies.
With 28 companies and tourism establishments participating under the Ministry of Tourism in this year’s ATM, the Sultanate has achieved remarkable success with its participation in the Forum this year. It is noteworthy that the Ministry is always keen to cooperate with partners within the tourism sector to integrate efforts toward promoting Omani tourism products and institutions working within the industry; and achieves this by participating in various international forums.
The exhibition also witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and deals between companies and institutions which operate in the tourism sector in the Sultanate; aiming to establish, develop, and manage tourism-related projects. Their participation in the ATM contributed in promoting new services and projects to meet the evergrowing number of the sector’s needs and requirements.
At this year’s forum, the ministry presented the latest developments, tourism projects and summer campaigns that will contribute in attracting more visitors to Oman from around the world. This will in turn enhance the national 2040 Tourism Strategy.