The tourist arrivals in Oman is projected to grow 11% in 2009 to touch the mark of 2 Million on high inflow of Gulf tourists who are looking for cheaper destinations in view of the global economic crisis.
According to tourism officials and operators, the tourist arrivals in Oman is expected to rise 11% this year (2009) to reach around 2 Million mark on account of high inflow of Gulf tourists looking for cheaper destination in the region, as reported by
The Daily Star.
Khalid al-Ghassan, Head of Development at the Tourism Ministry, said nearly 1.8 Million tourists came to Oman in 2008. 75% of them were regional tourists from Oman’s five neighboring countries that import oil from it and form the Gulf Cooperation Council economic bloc (GCC).
Ghassan further said that the number of tourists from the GCC had surged 6% to 710,000 in the first half of 2009 over the same period a year ago. Besides, a total of 1.1 Million visitors landed in Oman in the first six months of this year (2009), an increase of 980,000 from the corresponding period last year (2008).
High prospective growth in the Oman tourism is credited to the global economic crisis that has forced Gulf nationals to change their traveling plans from expensive countries to cheaper and closer countries such as Oman that is widely acknowledged for its legacy and splendid holiday vacations.
With the political and economical stability, Oman has seen a profound change in its image of peaceful nation. The country has attained the status of “Custodian of Authentic Arabia" that glues people crazy of knowing its past glory. It offers a plethora of vacation spots to tourists looking for luxurious holidays to spend their leisure time.
Moreover, the business environment is exclusively conducive for people curious to invest in the country due to the stable economic and political conditions.
Travel agents said that Salalah (a city in Oman) had won the hearts of tourists with its mild weather during the summer months, while Ras Al-Hadd drew tourists during the winter.
“Gulf citizens and Europeans love Salalah during the summer and the place is booming … they also go to see turtle nesting at Ras Al-Hadd,” they said.
Other major tourist attraction are – splendid primitive castles, exquisite handicrafts, crystal white breaches and desert camping.
According to a Research Analyst at
RNCOS, “Oman has become a prime tourist destination for the Gulf tourists owing to its luxurious holiday spots. As Oman is one the most popular tourist destinations in the Gulf, its tourism industry could develop into an important part of the country’s economy.”
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