Omanis need only look within to find beauty — within their own
country, that is — as the sultanate turns its attention to domestic tourism
this year in an effort to appeal to residents with local experiences.
With the long-term goal of redefining Oman as a year-round
destination, the Ministry of Tourism has opted to debut its marketing to
feature alluring summertime opportunities such as mountain retreats, water
sports and cultural experiences.
Adventures from high-altitude hiking to deep sea diving will
feature prominently in the ministry’s upcoming campaign planned for May through
September, with a special three-day event planned for Muscat City Center
featuring various hotels and tour packages.
Additionally, the tourism department has conducted workshops
this year in Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah and Dubai, promoting Oman sightseeing.
“For tourism to be a sustainable resource, it is important
for the country to be viewed as a year-long destination and the summer campaign
is intended to do just that,” Salim Al Mamari, the Ministry of Tourism’s
director general for tourism promotion, said.
The ministry is hopeful that not only Omani residents but
also other GCC vacationers will take advantage of the promoted opportunities — including
visitors from UAE and Saudi Arabia.
“We want to bring to the fore what Oman has to offer in
summers and encourage both locals and regional tourist to explore the vibrant
nation and enjoy the vacation with their families in many of the cooler parts
of the Sultanate,” Al Mamari said. “We are very happy with the response we have
received from our local partners and … hope to see more tourists turning up in
even bigger numbers to leverage these packages.”
