Oman has rich tourism potential, says an expert at UN agency

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman is a country rich in tourism attractions, and one of the best countries that takes into account the principles of sustainability in preserving natural heritage and biodiversity, said an expert at the United Nations Tourism Organisation.

He said that Oman has built a society that preserves cultural heritage, traditional values.

The hospitable people have preserved local customs, traditions, and arts that also is a contributing factor for attraction of tourists, he added.

Dr. Saeed Al-Batouti, Economic Advisor at the United Nations Tourism Organisation and a member of the Council of the European Travel Commission, confirmed that the Sultanate of Oman possesses unique and diverse tourism attractions that attract several segments of tourism consumers in almost all source markets.

The group consists of natural, historical, cultural, archaeological, religious, therapeutic, sports, social, and modern civilisational elements and resources that are the basic pillars of tourism , he added.

Dr. Saeed Al-Batouti added that the Sultanate of Oman is particularly rich in natural tourist attractions, represented by unique and exposed rock formations of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, which are a unique environment for students of earth sciences (geology). Its deserts, valleys and mountains also contain nature reserves and rare wildlife of animals, birds and plants.

He explained that the Sultanate of Oman enjoys a good reputation in global tourism markets due to its distinguished geographical location and political stability.

He stressed the importance of tourism sector making more efforts for developing general plans for the areas to be developed to stimulate local and foreign investments, as well as carrying out marketing campaigns based on a scientific approach and relying on market intelligence and the nature of each market and setting the appropriate marketing pattern for each source market, and coordinating between tour operators in the markets, airlines and local agents in the tourist areas of the Sultanate of Oman.

The Economic Advisor to the United Nations Tourism Organisation added that general plans for tourism development for regions and governorates should be prepared, including hotel capacity at various hotel levels and providing the supporting tourism services that tourists need.

He stressed the importance of continuing to maintain the principles of sustainability, local communities, customs, traditions and local culture that are supported in all United Nations bodies as the important social pillar of sustainability.

He added that the investment opportunities available in the tourism sector in the Sultanate of Oman are promising due to the investment climate and the incentives and facilities it effectively provides to investors.

 Dr. Saeed Al-Batouti stressed that the United Nations Tourism Organisation provides studies, technical support and regulations to the authorities responsible for the tourism sector in member states, noting that the global tourism sector is expected to grow at an average rate of 5.1 percent to reach OMR 5.96 billion (15.5 trillion US dollars) by 2033.

--