Nov 11, 2009

Oman to take part in WTM

MUSCAT has long prided itself as a port of call with a drawing power that’s able to lure back most visiting cruise liners on repeat itineraries through Omani waters. But that formidable appeal cut little ice with the Ocean Village Two on its maiden visit last week, not on account of any shortcoming on the city’s part, but simply because it was the luxury vessel’s final sailing through the Mediterranean and Middle East — at least under its present name. The vessel starts its new life as the Pacific Jewel later this year ahead of its deployment in Australian waters, part of a new business strategy adopted by operators Ocean Village Cruises.

Nov 09, 2009

Oman’s tourism sector reaping in the benefits

OMAN is reaping the benefits from tourism that justifies the strong focus given to this sector of the Sultanate’s economy, which has come a long way over the past decade and has proven to be an important new source of revenue; in keeping with the government’s aim of diversification away from overdependence on income generated from finite fossil fuels.
Today, tourism has already met and surpassed the GDP quota assigned to it, as outlined in the Oman Economic 2020 strategy. This has come about thanks to the strong marketing efforts played by the public authorities concerned and private sector companies who had taken up the government’s call to venture into tourism. It has proven to be effective and profitable, even being able to withstand the period of global recession. Read more...