Direct air link to Manchester to boost ties with Britain
Oman is witnessing an increase in experiential travellers and becoming a weekend destination for tourists from the region.
Last year, the number of inbound tourists visiting Oman reached three million.
The profile of tourists visiting Oman is changing, as visitors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and other parts of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) plan ‘weekend escapes’ or short vacations to the country,” said Asma Salim al Hajry, Assistant Direc t or- General, Tourism Promotions and Marketing, Ministry of Tourism.
“Oman is seeing an inflow of visitors with an ‘experiential travel focus’. Visitors interested in history, culture as well as activities such as sailing, cycling, trekking, golf, diving, spa and wellness and other special interest groups have begun to visit the Sultanate,” said Asma.
According to her, “special interest groups” constitute one of the fastestgrowing segments in world tourism, and Oman caters perfectly to this kind of tourists.
The official said Oman’s most important market remains the GCC, specifically the UAE and Saudi Arabia, due to their proximity.
“However, we are targeting China, Russia and the USA as new markets as they have expressed interest in visiting the Sultanate. India is a potential market for Oman, especially for Indian weddings and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events),” said Asma.
The Ministry of Tourism’s marketing strategy aims to promote Oman internationally as a quality destination for responsible tourists and, in doing so, spread the benefits of tourism across the Sultanate. MANCHESTER: Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, recently celebrated the launch of its new destination to Manchester in the United Kingdom (UK).
In statements to Oman News Agency (ONA), officials in Manchester said that this direct line will contribute in opening wider avenues for cooperation between the Sultanate and the UK in general and Manchester in particular, which is the heart of northern England.
Carl Austin, Lord Mayor of Manchester, said that the direct route between Muscat and Manchester would be a transitional stage for bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries at all levels, especially as Manchester represents an economic, tourism and educational weight in northern England.
He said that Manchester is looking forward at signing new partnerships with the Sultanate in the fields of trade, education and industry, calling on peoples of the two countries and the business community in particular to optimise the use of this route for the benefit of both sides.