Surge in tourists from Europe to Oman expected
New and direct flight routes, competitive air fares and a growing number of millennial and middle-class travellers are expected to support the rising trend
Times News Service
MUSCAT: More than 720,000 European tourists will visit Oman by 2023, a new report revealed on Wednesday.
The arrivals from Europe to the GCC will increase by 29% over the period 2018 to 2023, driven by new and direct flight routes, a growing number of millennial and middle-class travellers and competitive air fares, according to the latest data released ahead of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019, which takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April – 1 May 2019.
According to ATM’s research partner, Colliers International, as many as 8.3 million EU residents will travel to the GCC in 2023, an additional 1.9 million travellers when compared to 2018 arrival figures.
In addition, figures from ATM 2018 show the number of delegates arriving from Europe increased 5% between 2017 and 2018, while the number of delegates, exhibitors and attendees interested in doing business with Europe increased by 24%.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Historically, Europe and the GCC have enjoyed excellent travel and tourism links and this trend is set to continue over the next four years.
“The UAE and Saudi Arabia are expected to continue to be the preferred GCC destinations for European tourists, welcoming a projected 6.15 million and 1.11 million visitors respectively by 2023. Oman will follow with 720,000 visitors, while Bahrain will welcome 310,000 and Kuwait 140,000.”
Number wise
According to statistics, the number of tourists from Europe to Oman stood at 401,784 including 137,170 from the UK in 2016.
Recently, the Ministry of Tourism participated in the International Travel Bourse (ITB) in Berlin between 6 to 10 March 2019.
Forty-four hotel and other tourism establishments along with the national carrier Oman Air and Oman Airports Company participated in the major international travel and tourism industry forum which has participants from 198 countries from all over the world.
The 378-square-metre pavilion of the Sultanate showcased the culture and heritage of the country - the first time the Sultanate has had such a huge arena to display its tourism components in one of the largest international exhibitions.