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The benefits of Implementing a Tourism Strategy: Oman

“The implementation of the Tourism Strategy 2040 in Oman will bring about many benefits, such as providing more than 500.000 jobs by the end of 2040”, stated HE Maitha Al Mahrooqi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism, during a Ramadhan evening, hosted by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

She pointed out that the Sultanate of Oman has the potential to emerge as a leading country in the field of tourism. “Hopefully the contribution of tourism sector to the country’s GDP will range between 6 to 10% and the number of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) willbe 1.200 by 2040”.

The Oman Tourism Strategy Implementation Plan, developed by THR together with the Ministry of Tourism and presented on the event, is divided into three phases. The first phase (2016-2020) includes the launching of a Top Omani Tourism Experience as well as a program of Authentic Omani Experiences, developing more than 5.620 new hotel rooms, creating more than 76.384 new direct job opportunities and implementing leadership and empowerment initiatives.

The second phase of the strategy implementation (till 2030) includes the launching of three additional Omani Top Experiences, adding more than 15.419 new hotel rooms and creating more than 126.900 direct jobs. The third phase (2031-2040) also includes another three Top Omani Experiences, adding more than 29.596 new hotel rooms and leading to more than 242.990 new direct jobs.

The Oman Tourism Strategy focuses on 14 areas as potential tourism complexes. The strategy aims to increase hotel rooms, as well as tourism units with hospitality services, camping sites and villas, bringing the total number of tourism units to 80.000, also explained HE Maitha Al Mahrooqi.

In the first quarter of this year preliminary approvals were obtained for the construction of 41 hotels and 64 hotel apartments with a total capacity exceeding 5.000 rooms.

*Article elaborated using information of Oman Daily Observer and Gulf News.