MICE demand in Oman set to rise with OCEC

The demand for MICE offerings is not high in Oman right now, but Colliers International director and head of hotels MENA Filippo Sona has told Hotelier Middle East that with the expected 2016 opening of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) in Muscat, the country hopes to attract regional events on a larger scale.

City Seasons Muscat general manager Christian Palacin said: “The large conference centre due to open translates into so many events and conferences that will be taking place to inaugurate this very important venue.”

Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel =, general manager Katrin Herz agreed, and said the convention centre will contribute to driving business.

“We anticipate the centre will attract a number of global congresses and events, and Muscat will be an even greater potential location for business events. We are expecting some top global events in 2016, such as the America’s Cup, which are going to further reinforce our destination on the world map,” she said.

Read the full Oman hotel market update in the March 2016 issue of Hotelier Middle East.