Seven new hotels to add 1,851 rooms in Dhofar this year
Tourism ministry’s participation to highlight future plans, projects and other initiatives aimed at enhancing economic diversification
Times News Service
MUSCAT: Seven new hotels will add 1,851 hotel rooms by the end of 2018 in Dhofar, the Ministry of Tourism announced on Sunday at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.
The addition of 1,851 rooms will meet the rising demand, with a total of 3,346 rooms available in Salalah and its adjoining areas.
The Ministry of Tourism took part in the Arabian Travel Market, which began on April 22 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The Sultanate’s delegation is led by Maitha Saif Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism.
This year, the official theme for Arabian Travel Market 2018 focuses on responsible tourism, including current sustainable travel trends. The Sultanate participates in the Arabian Travel Market each year, as it is considered to be one of the largest international gatherings specialising in tourism in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Major contributors and decision-makers in tourism-related activities participate in the ATM; namely — airlines, hotels, shipping companies, conference centres, hotels, resorts, tour organizers, senior executives in the tourism sector and travel agencies.
At the Sultanate’s pavilion at the exhibition, Al Mahrouqi praised the role played by the organisations in the tourism sector that participated in the exhibition, and helped develop strategies to promote and operate the tourism movement in the Sultanate.
Regarding tourism, Maitha Saif Al Mahrouqi stated, “The tourism sector in the Sultanate is witnessing a remarkable annual growth, with statistical indicators pointing out the increase in the number of tourists and visitors, as well as the launch of new tourism projects and hotel facilities around the Sultanate, reinforced by the governmental efforts in further developing the vital projects and the infrastructures related to tourism.
“This comes as part of the Ministry’s efforts in implementing the first phase of the Omani Tourism strategy, in addition to integrating and cooperating with different sectors and institutes that are working directly or indirectly with Oman Tourism from within the tourism sector and other sectors, as well.”
She added, “The Ministry has always been keen to participate annually in international travel and tourism events, where major organisations and investors from all around the world gather in one spot to exchange knowledge, experiences and build bridges of common interests. The Arabian Travel Market stands as a perfect platform for representatives to promote the latest tourism services, projects and encourage tourism investments”
The Sultanate has recorded a significant growth in the tourism sector, underlying the Sultanate’s efforts in tourism development in various elements, which is an advantage to promote the latest tourism services, projects and installations, and encourage tourism investment.
The number of hotels increased from 337 establishments in 2016 to 367 in 2017, with a change of 8.9% and an annual growth rate of 6.4% since 2009 to 2017.