Berlin: Azzan Qassim Al Busaidi, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, emphasized Oman's commitment to showcasing the diverse range of incredible experiences available to visitors throughout the year at ITB Berlin.
During a press conference held in Berlin on Monday, prior to the start of ITB Berlin, Al Busaidi highlighted that Oman had welcomed a record-breaking 4 million visitors last year, a significant increase from 2.9 million in 2022, representing a growth of nearly 38%.
He also noted that out of these visitors, 231,000 were from Germany, marking a remarkable 182% increase compared to the previous year.
Al Busaidi explained that the Ministry of Heritage and Culture is dedicated to creating a conducive environment for the growth and development of tourism. This includes simplifying visa application processes and relaxing visa restrictions for citizens from more than 100 countries. Additionally, investments are being made in infrastructure and attractions to enhance the tourism sector.
Furthermore, Al Busaidi stated, "We have ambitious plans for our tourism sector, with over US$5.9 billion currently being invested in more than 360 projects."
Haitham Mohammed Al Ghassani, the Director-General of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, highlighted the importance of Oman's commitment to achieving its 2050 Net-Zero target and implementing sustainable practices. He emphasized the country's responsibility towards future generations, which encompasses various aspects such as hotel accommodation, resorts, and the preservation of heritage sites and historical monuments.
In terms of investment, Al Ghassani mentioned that Oman has set a target of $31 billion to be invested by 2040. This investment will contribute to the development and enhancement of the tourism sector in the country.
Regarding Oman's participation in the ITB Berlin Convention 2024, Al Ghassani confirmed that all necessary arrangements have been completed. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has conducted preparatory rehearsals for the opening ceremony, which is scheduled to take place this evening.
The opening ceremony will feature a range of performances, including the participation of the Royal Symphony Orchestra, Omani artists, and folklore groups. These performances will showcase the unique tourism features of the Sultanate of Oman.
Furthermore, the Ministry has also prepared the Omani pavilion for the convention. The pavilion will exhibit the offerings of 70 government and private sector establishments within an area of 800 square meters. Additionally, there will be two additional galleries dedicated to promoting adventure tourism and highlighting the culinary skills that are most common in Oman.
In 2023, the Sultanate of Oman experienced a significant increase in the number of inbound tourists, reaching a total of 4 million compared to 3.5 million in 2019, as highlighted by Al Ghassani. Looking ahead, the participation of Oman in ITB Berlin 2024 aims to further attract tourists in the upcoming period. Al Ghassani emphasized the need for collective efforts from all participants in the Omani pavilion to achieve this goal.
Al Ghassani also emphasized the significance of the ITB Berlin Convention, which is recognized as one of the largest international events with the participation of 160 countries this year. He emphasized that this exhibition provides an excellent platform to showcase Oman's tourism and investment potential.
The Ministry is actively encouraging the collaboration between local tourism partners and developers with their international counterparts. This collaboration aims to explore opportunities for promoting existing projects in Oman and further enhancing the country's tourism sector.
