Oman government’s tourism and investment wing Omran recently held talks with Dr Harold Goodwin, an international expert in responsible tourism, sources said.

Dr Goodwin met the Minister of Tourism and chairperson of Omran as well as other Omran board members and staff, to provide input into the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) and responsible tourism policy.

Dr Harold Goodwin is one of the world’s foremost authorities on responsible tourism, and founder of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, based in Leeds in the UK. 
 
As chair of both the Capetown and Kerala responsible tourism destination conferences, and the responsible tourism awards, Dr Goodwin is widely consulted as an international leader on sustainable and responsible tourism development. 

As well as providing in-depth advice to senior members of the Omran team and key opinion formers in Oman, Dr Goodwin has consulted with a number of key groups within Oman during his visit.  This included a public talk on responsible tourism, co-hosted by Omran and the Environment Society of Oman as well as a roundtable discussion with key opinion makers on applying responsible tourism in Oman.  
 
“Tourism can bring great benefits to communities, encouraging cultural and social understanding as well as economic growth,” said Dr Goodwin. “But countries which embrace tourism must also take responsibility for ensuring that this tourism is responsible and sustainable.
 
“Omran has already made some major steps forward in demonstrating their commitment to responsible tourism, and I look forward to working with them on their Responsible Tourism Policy.”
 
Wael Al-Lawati, CEO of Omran, said: “Oman is focusing on tourism as a key industry for the coming years.  We believe that careful, sustainable growth of this industry will lead to immense benefits for the nation of Oman and for its inhabitants. 
 
“This growth needs to be planned and managed responsibly.  For this reason we are extremely lucky and proud to host Dr Harold Goodwin on his visit to Oman, and to learn from his experience and his extensive academic background in responsible tourism.
 
“As we finalise our social responsibility programme, I am sure that Dr Goodwin’s valuable input will play an important part in ensuring this meets the highest international standards. Our developments make the most of Oman’s natural beauty – it is one of our most important assets as a company, and protecting it is therefore crucial to us.”
 
Omran is currently developing a responsible tourism policy which will outline the company’s commitment to the principles of responsible tourism.  The company currently employs a dedicated CSR Manager, Dana Sarhan, and has involved itself in a number of social responsibility efforts since its inception. 

These include the first paper recycling scheme in Oman, publication of the Go Green Guide, and ongoing consultation with local and international experts to ensure the company’s developments are responsibly developed.
 
Responsible tourism is largely defined by “creating better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit.” It is the outcome of two important conferences, in Kerala and Capetown, both co-chaired by Dr Goodwin.  The declaration signed by major tourism operators and industry leaders at the latter defines responsible tourism as follows:

* Minimises negative economic, environmental, and social impacts

* Generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry

* Involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances

* Makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, to the maintenance of t