Oman’s participation in the International Tourism Exhibition 'Fitur 2025' in Madrid, scheduled from January 22 to 26, garnered significant interest from leading Spanish travel and tourism companies and agencies, reflecting the growing interest of Spanish tourists in visiting the Sultanate of Oman.
Represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman showcased a pavilion featuring nine tourism institutions, companies, and hotel facilities. The participation included the launch of a promotional campaign aimed at raising awareness of Oman's tourism and heritage sites, as well as a cultural evening that highlighted Omani music, traditional attire, and cuisine.
Additionally, numerous bilateral meetings took place between the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and various governmental and private entities in Spain, focusing on enhancing cooperation in the tourism sector between the two nations.
Salim Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, the Minister of Heritage and Tourism, emphasized that the goal of participating in this international tourism forum was to highlight the significant tourism potential of the Sultanate of Oman and to seek new avenues for collaboration with Spain, particularly as both countries have made remarkable strides in the tourism sector in recent years.
He underscored that investment in Oman's tourism sector holds a promising future, supported by the incentives and competitive advantages offered by the government to investors. He encouraged Spanish investors to take advantage of the available tourism investment opportunities tailored to meet the preferences and needs of European tourists, especially those from Spain.
Haitham Mohammed Al Ghassani, the Director-General of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, provided insights into the promotional campaign initiated by the ministry during its participation in the exhibition. This campaign focused on showcasing key tourist attractions in Madrid and within the Fitur exhibition, which features participation from approximately 156 countries globally. Additionally, a fleet of buses traversing Madrid was employed to highlight the unique aspects of Oman's tourism sector.
The Director-General expressed optimism that this engagement would significantly enhance the influx of tourists from the Spanish market and neighboring European regions to the Sultanate of Oman in the near future.
Shabib bin Mohammed Al Maamari, General Manager of the National Travel Operator, commented on the involvement of tourism companies and institutions at Oman’s pavilion during the exhibition. He emphasized the operator's commitment to participating in international tourism events like Fitur, which attracts a diverse array of stakeholders from the global tourism industry. He noted a strong interest from international tourism firms in Oman's offerings.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the national travel operator successfully established strategic partnerships with various Spanish tourism companies, including a collaboration with the digital platform "Destinia" to promote Omani tourism products. Meetings were also held with Spanish companies specializing in charter flights to explore potential opportunities for bringing their services to the Sultanate of Oman.
Abdul Aziz bin Saif Al Mahrazi, the owner of Al Wafra Tourism Company, emphasized the significance of their participation in the Spanish market for the first time at this international tourism exhibition. He noted that the Sultanate of Oman’s pavilion attracted considerable interest from Spanish visitors as well as attendees from other participating countries.
He mentioned that the company has received numerous inquiries from tourist groups in Spain interested in visiting Oman soon. He explained that engaging in such prominent international tourism events is crucial for drawing new tourist groups to Oman and showcasing it as a distinctive travel destination.
Amer bin Abdullah Al Zadjali, CEO of Sama Travel and Tourism, echoed this sentiment, stating that this participation is vital, particularly in the promising Spanish tourism market, given the rising interest from Spanish tourists in Oman recently.
He further highlighted that the pavilion effectively showcased the tourism landscape and heritage sites, including castles, forts, and museums, which appeal to European tourists, especially those from Spain. Additionally, it featured the tourism products and services offered by the company through meetings with various Spanish tourism sector companies.
Moreover, the Sultanate of Oman’s pavilion was awarded the Best Pavilion Award at the International Tourism Exhibition “Fitur 2025.” The pavilion garnered widespread praise for its innovative design, which reflects Oman’s cultural identity while blending traditional elements with a contemporary flair.
The design is notable for incorporating modern technologies and multimedia presentations that emphasize the heritage and tourism experiences unique to the Sultanate of Oman.
The pavilion of the Sultanate of Oman at the Fitur Exhibition attracted a significant number of visitors from Spain and other participating nations. Attendees explored a range of tourism offerings, including eco-adventures, cultural festivals, maritime excursions, and cutting-edge initiatives within the tourism industry. Many visitors voiced their appreciation for Oman's rich environmental diversity and varied landscapes, highlighting its beautiful beaches, seas, mountains, deserts, and stunning natural scenery, all of which contribute to its appeal as a prime tourist destination.
