Oman’s Ministry of Tourism has strategically partnered with Oman Air to launch a summer travel campaign in time for Oman’s ‘Khareef’ monsoon season, which is widely celebrated in Salalah. The launching event was held recently at Safir International Hotel in Kuwait City, with around 200 travel agents in attendance.
The special packages to be unveiled include discounted rates to some of the Sultanate’s top hotels, free iftar dinners, and free extra night stays. Oman Air will also introduce a new brochure highlighting Oman’s touristic attractions and will encourage travelers to avail of the 10 weekly flights from Kuwait to Muscat to take part in Oman’s colorful Khareef festivities.
Last year Oman welcomed almost 27,000 visitors from Kuwait topping the previous year’s number by 14 per cent. The Oman Ministry of Tourism’s online accommodation booking partners add that their transactions grew from 25 to 40 per cent in 2011. The Salalah Tourism Festival and Muscat’s declaration as Arab Tourism Capital for 2012 by the Arab League’s Tourism Ministers are some of the major factors expected to further drive up Oman’s touristic appeal this year.
“Every year from late June to September the Khareef monsoon rains transform Oman into a paradise of greenery and mist. It is during this period that we hold a comprehensive calendar of cultural and entertainment events for the Salalah Tourism Festival. Through our collaboration with Oman Air we intend to encourage more travelers from Kuwait to take respite from the summer heat and join our various festivities. Oman Ministry of Tourism is keen to introduce Salalah and Oman to the Kuwaiti market,” said Gamal Sadek, Director, Oman Ministry of Tourism Representative Offices, GCC.
Oman has emerged as one of the most preferred holiday destinations for Kuwait. Oman Air would reward Oman’s Kuwaiti guests by offering comprehensive promotions that focus on convenience, a fulfilling experience, and flexible options. With the cooperation and support of Oman’s Ministry of Tourism which is vital to the success of such campaigns, Oman Air’s summer campaign is sure to achieve a sustained positive growth in this campaign too.
Oman Air’s commitment to quality, comfort and a seamless passenger experience has resulted in international acclaim, including: Best Business Class Seat in the World and Service Excellence, Middle East (World Airline Awards 2011); Best Luxury Airline, Middle East (Business Destinations Awards 2011); Technological Innovation of the Year (Aviation Business Awards 2010); as well recognition in the TravelPlus Amenity Bag Awards 2010 (three Gold, one Silver), the Cellars in the Sky Awards 2010 (Silver), the KLIA Awards 2011, the 2009 Vision Awards (one Silver, one Bronze) and the Travel Industry Club Awards 2010 (Silver), TTG Travel Award 2011 as Commended Airline of the Year, Best In-flight Connectivity & Communications award in The 2011 Passenger Choice Awards in Seattle USA, The Airline of the Year Award at France's Lauriers d'Or du Voyage d'Affaires, Top Resa 2011 in addition to the Best First Class
Female Amenity Bag and the Best Business Class Unisex Amenity Bag at the TravelPlus Airline Amenity Bag Awards 2011. The most recent award won by Oman Air was The Best Business Class Airline, Middle East (Business Destinations Travel Awards 2012).
Oman’s Ministry of Tourism has been cooperating with Oman Air to attract more international transit passengers and short-break travelers from the GCC markets. Among the Ministry’s key initiatives are stopover and value offers as well as a unique year-round cultural, entertainment and sporting events calendar.