Wednesday, February 10, 2010

November 18, 2009 10:15 AM

Full Steam Ahead For Oman's Tourism Sector

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Bernama)-- Oman's tourism industry shows no sign of slowing down despite the global financial crisis which has ripped many of the world economies, with plans and programmes being implemented as scheduled.

The Sultanate of Oman, which celebrates its 39th National Day today, says, a number of tourism projects are currently being implemented which are at various stages, including 12 five-star hotels to be developed in the next four years.

It also aims to increase the number of hotel rooms to 16,000 by 2010 and tourist stay to five million by 2020.

In a statement issued to Bernama, the Sultanate said that the tourism sector had seen radical changes in Oman following multi-pronged measures by the government to boost the economy.

On schedule are the development of three hotels, which are part of the prestigious Salalah Beach project, and a tourism project at Ras Al Had, a joint venture with Al Diyar of Qatar.

Under construction is the Convention and Exhibition Centre, which is expected to have multiplier effects on the economy, giving a fillip to MICE (meetings, events, exhibitions and conferences) market in Oman. The project allows the country to bid for major regional and global business events and meetings.

Other projects which are expected to boost tourism in Oman include Six Senses Spa & Resort in Diba. Opened for business in November last year, the resort, which is located at Zaghy coastal village, includes chalets, in addition to other recreational and residential facilities.

Alongside with these projects, a number of major tourism ventures are also in the pipeline and in different stages of completion. Some of these projects are almost completed such as The Wave in Muscat and Blue City in Al Batinah region.

Another tourist attraction is the Glass Bottom Boat, a luxury, purpose built 12m double-decker, which was officially launched in April this year, providing guests with spectacular views of the beautiful corals and local marine life.

On the economic front, it said, Oman gained international interest, citing the Oxford Business Group 2009 Report, which noted that Oman remained an oasis for peace under the leadership of the Sultan, and attributing its achievements to the carefully-studied plans and programmes and wise policies of the Omani government.

The report, published in March, said the Sultanate, which made numerous achievements in 2008 in oil and gas sectors, continued its commitment to move ahead with the economic diversification programmes and improving education.

Moody's International credit rating report has placed the Sultanate at A2 level alongside South Korea, Chile and Botswana. The report foresees stable economic future for the Sultanate.

This rating for the Sultanate came as a result of a number of factors covered by Moody's report, such as the increase in the strength of the economy, the institutional power, the financial power for the government and the slow speed of being affected by risks.

At the Economic Freedom Index 2009, released by United States based Heritage Foundation, the Sultanate was ranked second on the Arab level.

Oman's economic freedom score is 67, making its economy the 43rd freest in the 2009 Index. Oman also scored 63.3 per cent in freedom of business index, 60 per cent in the freedom of investment index, 83.6 per cent in the freedom trade index and 75 per cent in the freedom of manpower index.

The Sultanate came sixth on the Arab level at the World Competitiveness Index 2008/2009, a report related by the International Research Foundation, the official Partner of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.

--BERNAMA

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