per e t tra sit ar et

The transit market is growing at 5 per cent per year and forecast for grow more strongly as GCC carriers build capacity and frequencies to Australia.

“Australians are adventurous travellers interested in nature and authentic cultural experiences, and our campaign will captivate many to visit the Sultanate,” she continued.

Emirates Airlines has the largest market share of Australian transit passengers, Etihad Airways is also strong in its own right and through its code share with Virgin International, while Qatar Airways recently commenced daily services to Perth, adding to its daily services to Melbourne.

The under-secretary said: “The ‘Side trip of a Lifetime’ campaign will boost awareness in Oman as unique and beautiful destination, support our Australian network of travel agents, and be welcomed by GCC carriers flying to Australia. "The carriers have done a great job in attracting Australians to travel to Europe and Africa via the GCC, and our campaign adds to their competitiveness. For these reasons, the Side trip of a Lifetime campaign is model for other markets,” she concluded.

The ministry’s campaign takes advantage of heavily discounted tourist visas introduced in early 2012, and adds to the Muscat Arab Tourism Capital 2012 campaign, and the 1 Free Night in Oman campaign with Oman Air and partner hotels and resorts.