Oman sets up panel to develop tourism action plan

Oman has set up a new committee to develop an action plan to target growth in the country's tourism industry.

Oman's Ministry of Tourism has formed the panel which includes representatives from airlines, hotels, tour operators and tourism investment firms.

The committee will work with the Ministry to create coordinated communications with key international markets to promote tourism in the sultanate.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) said it expects Oman's tourism industry to grow from 1.5 percent of total GDP in 2010 to 2.4 percent of GDP by 2020.

The WTTC report also said Oman's contribution to the economy by tourism-related activity is expected to increase from 7.6 percent of GDP in 2010 to 9.2 percent of GDP by 2020.

Salem Al Mamari, director general of Tourism Promotions, Oman Ministry of Tourism, said: "An enhanced marketing strategy for Oman's tourism sector will ensure that tourist arrivals in the country remain high over the coming months.

Al Mamari said last month that a new $1bn conference and exhibition centre scheduled to be completed in 2014 would provide a major boost to tourism.

The facility - set to become the largest meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) venue in Oman - will transform Oman into a key destination for major business events in the region, he said.

He said that Oman has already approved the spending of around $8bn 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.