The Ministry of Tourism in Oman recently showcased its representative office at the Riyadh Travel Fair 2013, targeting four million annual Saudi Arabian travellers at the largest travel and tourism exhibition and congress in the region.

The Ministry’s decision to open a representative office in Saudi Arabia demonstrates its interest in attracting Saudis to consider Oman for business and leisure, a statement from an official said.

The event is recognised as Saudi Arabia’s premier annual industry event that gathers leading travel and tourism companies as well as exhibitors representing tourist promotion authorities in Saudi Arabia, GCC and all over the world. It creates a new channel for the Oman Ministry of Tourism to support its mission of generating greater awareness about Oman’s diverse, year-round tourist destinations.

Maitha Al Mahrouqi, undersecretary of Oman’s Ministry of Tourism, said: “We welcome visitors from the Kingdom and recognise the need also for us to invest our time in the market, especially to build awareness in Oman’s attractions and natural beauty. We want Saudis to include Oman in their business and leisure plans for the year starting off with Salalah’s Khareef season or other cool climate destinations.”

The Ministry is expecting a big increase in tourism from the Kingdom with major drivers being improved air access to Salalah with Oman Air (four flights per week from Dubai), Air Arabia (three flights per week from Sharjah) and Qatar Airways (four flights per week from Doha) adding an additional 1,500 seats per week to the destination.

Expatriate travel is also being assisted by low-cost tourism visas. Oman’s resorts and hotels are also offering heavily discounted rooms over summer, the statement said. – TradeArabia News Service