ATM will prove to be vitally important in driving forward Oman’s longer term tourism strategies as the Sultanate looks to build on its expected 25 per cent year-on-year visitor increase, said Khalid Al Zadjali, acting director of tourism events, Oman Ministry of Tourism.
Al Zadjali believes that with Oman’s rich cultural heritage and enhanced in bound tourism potential status, the annual exhibition is more critical than ever for the country to target its traditional sources markets of the GCC and the United Kingdom. “Arabian Travel Market continues to be one the most important regional shows for the travel and tourism industry and is one that Oman, both on a governmental level as well as from the private sector, continues to support enthusiastically.”
According to EuroMonitor International Oman attracts three million tourists a year, and its major cities such as Matrah, Barka and Salalah recorded some of the highest growth in city arrivals for 2007-2008 regionally. In addition, the average spend per visitor is $1,077 – double that of neighbouring United Arab Emirates.
The Oman Ministry of Tourism will lead a contingent of more than 20 local companies to ATM. These include Oman Air, Dar Attawbah for Umrah & Haj and Net Tours, Oman.
