The government will soon appoint a global communication agency to support its business-to-business (events) and business-to-consumer events, said a top official from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MoHT).
Speaking to the Observer, Saada bint Abdullah al Harthiyah, Director of Business Development, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said the name of the agency will be announced as soon as this month as Oman has eased most of the restrictions related to travel and aims to promote the country as a niche tourism destination.
She said at the annual meeting of tourism representation offices at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre on Tuesday.
This meeting saw the participation of officials from 10 Ministry-affiliated tourism representation offices covering 15 countries, including the Netherlands, France, Italy, Germany, Nordic Countries, India, the UK, Saudi Arabia and the UAE among others.
Speaking to the Observer, Al Harthy, Director of Business Development, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism said, “The number of foreign tourists coming to the country is expected to improve to 50 per cent of the pre-Covid-19 levels in this year. The ministry will be hosting the Global Travel Week, which will be held from March 27 to March 30.”
Tourism representation offices contribute to strengthening the presence of the Sultanate of Oman in the important tourist markets through various promotional activities and plans, including opening offices in non-traditional markets.
The selection of these markets was based on studies carried out by the ministry on the targeted countries through which to promote the Sultanate of Oman as an attractive tourist destination.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism seeks to focus on promotional campaigns on social networking sites.
Haitham bin Mohammed al Ghassani, Director-General of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said. “There are incentives to maximise the economic return from the tourism sector in cooperation with local partners such as airlines, travel offices and companies. Offices in India, UK and Germany and Italy that were closed due Covid-19 pandemic were opened recently.”
Al Ghassani explained, “We are working to enhance the effective and strong presence of the Sultanate of Oman in the foreign tourism markets by participating in the most prominent events, activities and tourism activities that are held in various countries, whether exhibitions, workshops, forums or forums related to the tourism aspect. promotional and introductory programmes, but it also represents the Sultanate of Oman in these forums, where participation in these international events requires great efforts to coordinate, participate and display tourism products.”
@vinot_nair
