TravTalk India Online Magazine
Asma Al Hajry, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman, says the destination witnessed a 114 per cent growth in tourists from India compared to the last year, and they aim to tap into tier II and III cities.
Janice Alyosius
India is a crucial market for Oman, and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of Oman is eyeing on leveraging the potential that the country has to offer. Asma Al Hajry, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman, expresses the importance of India as a vital source market for Oman. To strengthen the business ties between the two countries and upskill the Indian travel trade about their offerings, Oman has been conducting a roadshow in India. “We have seen great results from last year’s roadshow and until this year we have seen very interesting growth in terms of numbers as well,” she shared.
To further boost the numbers, Oman is conducting a four-city India roadshow in Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Emphasising on the potential of Indian cities, Asma Al Hajry said that they play a pivotal role in the Oman-India tourism connection. “The number from India market is increasing, it is a booming destination, we have seen 114 per cent increase in numbers from last year to May 2023, so market is growing very well.”
Additionally, she highlighted the importance of tier II and III cities. “There is a huge potential for Oman in tier II and III cites and that is why this year we are focusing on them. There is a huge demand and inquiries for weddings also. So, this is a segment that Oman tourism is targeting from these cities,” she said.
Emphasising on the wedding segment, Asma Al Hajry shared that the segment holds immense potential with Oman positioning itself as a captivating wedding destination. The period from December to February is particularly promising for Indian weddings in Oman, creating a unique blend of tradition and picturesque landscapes. “We have conducted many Fam trips for wedding planners, and we are continuing to do so, we have another one planned in August 2023 for top wedding planners to visit Oman and I believe Oman is a destination where you need to step into, to understand the beauty of the country. Oman is not a destination that can be shown through slides and presentation. Our objective is to bring all the partners, not only wedding planners, but also M!CE operators, tour operators, DMCs a part of the Fam trip plan,” she said.
One of the most important criteria for attracting visitors from all segments is seamless connectivity and visa facilitation. While many places fail to do this, Oman provides convenience for both, earning it a spot on the traveller’s list.Highlighting the ease of travel for Indian visitors, Asma Al Hajry shared, “Indians with Schengen, Canadian, or US visas enjoy a 14-day visa exemption. Others can conveniently apply for e-visas online, with quick processing times.”
Oman is a destination rich in terms of providing different types of experiences when it comes to FITs and leisure. Speaking of the destination’s offerings, Asma Al Hajry said, “Currently, we have launched the zipline in Musandam, which is an exceptional experience as well. Adventure tourism in Oman is aggressively growing and there is so much to be offered in Oman when it comes to experiences. Starting from the wadi, the mountains, and the beaches, anyone who comes to Oman has something to do in Oman.”
Emphasising on their pursuit for new partnerships, Asma Al Hajry shared, “We have been working closely with our top producers in Indian markets. We are also looking for new partnerships, while we are here, and we are looking for the best.”
