Oman Air Announces Participation In World Travel Market 2007

Date: 10 Nov 2007

Oman air will partake in WTM 2007 during the period 12-15 November. Staged annually in ExCeL London under one roof, the four-day travel industry event "World Travel Market" is necessary attend, business to business exhibition. The show provides a unique opportunity for the completely global travel trade industry to meet, network, negotiate, conduct business, and stay abreast with the latest developments in the travel industry. Oman Air participation this year comes under the umbrella of the Omani Ministry of Tourism.

In this regard, Usama Bin Karim Al Haremi Manager Corporate Communications and Media Department of Oman Aviation Services (Oman Air) said, that everyone in the travel industry attends World Travel Market at ExCeL in London’s Docklands each November to do business. Being the National Carrier of the Sultanate, Oman Air continuously emphasizes the need to project a positive image of the country throughout the world. The World Travel Market in London is considered the third largest tourist exhibition in the world with a gross area of approximately 45 thousand square meters. WTM brings together worldwide buyers and sellers from every sector of the industry. It is indeed one of the most important driving forces of global tourism, and an ideal platform to highlight the uniqueness of Oman’s enormous tourism and business potentials.  We aim to increase awareness of its strategic importance as a tourist destination and a global economic precinct in the Gulf, Middle East, and North Africa he said, noting out that a record-breaking 47,000-travel industry professionals participated at WTM 2006 representing 202 countries and regions.

Affirming that Oman is a very safe, peaceful, stable, and modern country, he stated that Oman is becoming a more and more popular destination for European, Asian and Middle Eastern vacationers, and that tourism is quickly emerging as one of the pillars of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’ Government Vision 2020 plan for sustainable development.

Travel to Oman is on the rise with more than one million visitors in 2006 with approximately 40% of inbound tourism from Great Britain, Germany, France, and Italy. Perceptive European travellers have been gravitating to Oman, enticed to experience this remarkable, peaceful country. Oman Air guideline is to work closely with the government to further develop international markets for Oman tourism. Our marketing campaigns Al Haremi said are carefully targeted at selected markets in order to obtain the maximum returns for the country. With inbound tourism to the region growing at a staggering eight per cent during the first quarter of 2007, the Middle East is confirmed as one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, and Oman Air wants to continue to play an important role in this growth. Today’s leisure traveller wants a new experience, honest value, and personalisation of service: “We intend to give all three, plus continue our insistence on quality.” He added.

Mr. Usama Al-Haremi M-CC&M

“Omani civilization dates back to the Stone Age and it is the remnants of this past along with Oman's natural beauty that is drawing tourists from around the globe. Tourism within the Sultanate emphasizes its natural beauty and storied past. The Sultanate boasts one of the most diverse environments in the Middle East, and has pursued an impressive environmental strategy to preserve its conservation balance while fostering its economic development. While Oman's natural wonders are a significant factor in drawing visitors, it is Oman's grand array of archeological sites, currently being restored, which is the main attraction,” Al Haremi stated. More and more visitors are sampling Oman’s unforgettable sights. Oman is rich in natural assets and cultural heritage and the country provides an attractive destination for tourists. With features such as wildlife, cultural heritage including UNESCO listed forts, an extensive coastline with spectacular sandy beaches, sunny climate, variety of water sports and recreation and unique archaeological sites of world significance, Oman is poised to be launched as an attractive international tourism destination, furthermore stands as one of the countries where tourists can enjoy a safe environment,” he concluded.

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