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Oman’s National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) revealed that Oman received 299,022 Indian nationals last year, reflecting a 17% growth in 2015 from 2014. The data also reflected a growth of 60% in the number of Indians travelling to Oman in the last five years. 1.5 million international visitors travelled into Oman between January and July 2016.
Officials from the Ministry of Tourism – Oman along with representative partners from the tourism industry including Al Bustan – A Ritz Carlton Hotel, Arabian Experience, Al Nahda Resort & Spa, Alila Jabal Akhdar, Elite Tours, Anantara Resorts, Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Six Senses Zighy Bay, Magic Arabica, Bahwan Tours, Grand Hyatt, Omran Hotels & Resorts, Tour Oman, Zahara Tours and Oman Air were present at the roadshow.
For the B2B sessions, Oman Tourism invited travel agents for prefixed meetings with the delegates from Oman. The roadshow saw a stupendous response and was well attended by travel agents and tour operators in all the cities.
“In 2015, we witnessed a growth of 17% in Indian arrivals and in the first six months of 2016 too we have seen positive growth,” said Lubaina Sheerazi, the Oman’s Ministry of Tourism’s India Representative. “This year, we also identified Kolkata as a new market for Oman and we will be conducting our first roadshow in the city. With this new addition, Oman has made its presence felt in eight Indian cities, with Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai being our main markets,” she stated further.
There was a media interaction arranged where Lubaina Sheerazi along with Asma Al Hajry, Deputy Director General International Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Oman and Sunil V A, Regional Vice President, Oman Air were present.
Asma Al Hajry, Deputy Director General, International Tourism, Oman, said, “We are targeting those who view Oman as a niche travel experience. Oman offers everything a leisure traveller expects. Apart from general travel, we are also seeking to attract Indians who want to make Oman a location for destination weddings and a MICE destination.”
As pointed out by Lubaina Sheerazi, the new Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre is set to become an iconic landmark for Muscat and the Sultanate of Oman. The Centre is conveniently located only 10 minutes from the new Muscat International Airport. Located in its own precinct, this world-class facility is perfectly suited to host international, regional and national conventions, exhibitions and business events. Amongst its features is a tiered auditorium seating 3,200 people and more than 22,000 square metres of column-free exhibition space.
Oman has also recently launched self-drive tours, which allows travellers to book a car and drive through the country but the drivers must have an Indian International driving license.
Oman Air outlined its plans to connect more destinations in India, especially Kolkata, up from the 11 it currently serves.
India is a crucial market for Oman and the annual roadshow is one of the most important marketing programmes planned this year for the target market by the Ministry. The road shows also highlighted Oman as a luxury tourist destination, with a focus on destination weddings and MICE.
The Sultanate’s Ministry of Tourism has also started promoting Oman as an ideal wedding destination for Indians as Muscat is close to India. As Oman is surrounded by mighty mountains, valleys, deserts and beaches, the Sultanate is an excellent short-haul destination from India, according to ministry officials.
Lubaina Sheerazi said, “At least 14 weddings have been lined up for the forthcoming wedding season, up from 10 last season.”
 revealed that Oman received 299,022 Indian nationals last year, reflecting a 17% growth in 2015 from 2014. The data also reflected a growth of 60% in the number of Indians travelling to… "Pin It")
Source: travelnewsdigest.in