Oman Ministry of Tourism showcases its tourist offerings

As Oman's overall economy grows, tourism is a sector that government officials are hoping will flourish as well.

The Oman Ministry of Tourism recently highlighted the nation's tourist attractions at a presentation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Ministry Director General of Tourism Promotion Salim Bin Adey said the goal of the ministry is to promote "the wonderful range of tourism attractions Oman has to offer."

Many tourists come to Oman from Saudi Arabia each year. Ministry officials hope to increase interest pthrough the event that featured samples of Oman's local cultural and food offerings.

"Saudi Arabia has always been an important market for us as we receive a large number of visitors from the kingdom every year," Bin Adey said. "We believe that the sultanate is an ideal destination for the people of Saudi, being conveniently located, and offering a number of activities that suit all types of travelers. We aim to attract visitors from all across the Gulf Cooperation Council as they represent a big portion of our annual tourists and we are steadfast in our commitment to providing them with an unparalleled rewarding tourist experience.”

Oman's tourism industry has experienced steady growth over the last few years, boosted in part by the newly opened Salalah Airport. Tourism officials said by the end of the year, approximately 1,500 new hotel rooms will be available throughout Oman.