Oman tourism poised for the big time

Oman is primed to lead tourism growth in the Middle East as the Sultanate invests heavily in growing this sector.

Muscat

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), total contribution of travel and tourism to Oman’s GDP was OMR2.08 billion (US$5.4 billion) in 2013, which represents or 6.4% of GDP. Based on current growth projections, WTTC expects tourism sector GDP contributions to rise by 9.4% this year, to OMR2.27 bn.

In the longer term, WTTC forecasts 5.5% annual increase in the value of Oman’s travel and tourism sector to OMR3.88 billion by 2024, equal to 8.2% of GDP.

These forecasts are based on strong performances in Oman’s hospitality and aviation sectors.

In the first half of 2014 total number of guests staying at four and five star hotels in the Sultanate witnessed an increase of 20.7%, reaching 368,764, and June occupancy rates also rose to 64.6% from 61.3% a year ago. Total revenues of four and five star hotels also grew by 8.7% during the same period rising to OMR86.3 million.

Meanwhile, international passenger arrivals at Muscat International Airport were up by 6.7% to 2 million passengers in the first six months of the year, compared to the same period last year. Salalah too witnessed a surge of around 75% to cross 50,000 international passenger arrivals during the six months compared to the same period last year.

The Omani government is also investing significantly in the tourism sector. Last year, Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) issued tenders worth OMR78 million for Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, and a further OMR1million to the Traveller’s Oasis project in Salalah.

Omran also said that 12 new projects are under study including water parks, developing Omani castles and forts and eco-tourism resorts in order to attract and accommodate the rising tourists.

sourced:traveldailymedia.com