The prospects for Oman’s tourism industry are very positive, as long as the country remains focused on promoting its “unique geography, unique culture and unique experience for tourists”.
That is the view of Deloitte and Touche Middle East partner for tourism, hospitality and leisure Rob O’Hanlon, who was speaking at this week’s Gulfood Global Trends conference.
O’Hanlon said: “I believe we are going to see a lot more boutique-type hotels expanding right through the country. That’s what people want – they’re looking for an Oman experience.They don’t want to be in Muscat seeing people like me walking about in a suit when they can do that anywhere in the world, they want to go out and see and engage with people.
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“What you’re seeing the government doing is taking some really big steps, things like introducing high speed ferries so that people can actually see the coastline – we have 1700km of Indian ocean coastline and have to make that more easily accessible,” said O’Hanlon.
Hoteliers in Oman agreed that Oman’s unique positioning was what attracted tourists.
IHG area director sales and marketing Daniel Norman, who is based at the Al Bustan Palace in Muscat, said: “Oman has always positioned itself as an authentic and unique destination; it really likes to retain its own special character.
“It doesn’t want to look the same as other destinations – it wants to keep its character. That’s what attracts people here; the nature, culture, history, not something new and different, which is artificial.”
The Chedi Muscat director of sales and marketing Lore Koenig added: “We are looking at a clear clientele of the medium- to high- income range that will appreciate the beauty of the country and the history and culture that comes with it”.
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