OMAN’S business tourism sector is poised for further growth following the commencement of construction on the new $1-billion Oman Conference and Exhibition Centre in Muscat.
The facility – set to become the largest meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (Mice) venue in Oman when it is completed in 2014 – will transform Oman into a key destination for major business events in the region.
The upcoming Muscat centre embodies Oman’s thriving tourism sector, which is expected to contribute $1.93 billion to the country’s economy or around three per cent of total GDP in 2011. The leisure segment is already booming as reflected by the 10 per cent average annual growth in hotel occupancies and Oman has approved the spending of around $8 billion on tourism-related property developments across the country.
Oman’s Ministry of Tourism aims to eventually draw in 12 million visitors a year by 2020 to make the tourism industry one of the country’s largest income generators and a vital component of the ‘Visions for Oman’s Economy: Oman 2020’ development plan.
“The development of the convention centre in Muscat forms part of our efforts to establish Oman as an all-round business, leisure and lifestyle destination. Travellers from all over the world are already attracted to our natural beauty, fine weather, special events and excellent transport infrastructure. By building up our Mice offerings we grow closer to tourism targets that we have specifically aligned under the Oman 2020 economic vision,” said Salem Al Mamari, director general of tourism promotions, Oman Ministry of Tourism.
Oman welcomed around 1.6 million tourists in 2010 and expects to raise the figure this year mainly through visits from neighboring GCC states, India and Russia. The construction of three new airports and a growing sea cruise trade that brought in more than 120 cruise ships and 300,000 passengers in the 2010-11 season will further advance Oman’s tourism plans.