India is a Second Highest source Market of Tourism for Oman

HospiBuz Desk

India is the second highest source market for Oman, the Sultanate of Oman has recorded a 12.3 growth in Indian tourist traveller with 357,147 visiting the country from January to December 2018 vis-a-vis 317,844 in 2017. This marks an outstanding growth of 39.4% over the last few years, as per the statistics discharged by Oman’s National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Oman received 1,484,063 international travellers in 2018 which is significantly higher showing a growth of over 8.39, the number doesn’t include regional travellers from other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

India Representatives, Lubaina Sheerazi Ministry of tourism, Oman has been a magnificent year in terms of incredible growth, giving a high percentage of travellers fo Oman, seeing the consistent growth from tourist arrivals from India Oman is extremely pleased with the consistency,.
“India has been an major market for us and we are delighted to say that it has been one of the best performing countries, touching the status of second highest source market after GCC. Several initiatives have been denoted to this success, like the launch of the Electronic visa, direct flight connectivity from numerous cities in India and opening of the new passenger terminal at Muscat International Airport. With the great number of travellers each year, we are expecting double-digit growth in 2019 as well.”

The Oman Tourism Strategy, developed by the Ministry of Tourism (MOT), presage at least 11.7mn international and domestic tourists by 2040, produced by domestic and international investments into the sector of around OMR 20 billion over the period.

The serious increase in incoming tourism has been the result of the economic diversification strategy affiliate by the government of Oman. Last year saw the opening of the state-of-the-art Muscat International Airport, giving the country a plush gateway providing unrivalled service and earning the prestigious best new airport in the world. Also, to enthral more travellers to visit the country, Oman declared a new short-term tourist visa at 5 Omani Rial (OMR) equivalent to approximately INR 930, for a 10-day visit. Indians who hold a valid visa to any one of these countries – United States of America, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan and Schengen States can advantage the Oman visa through an e-visa process by just logging on to https://evisa.rop.gov.om/ and make the 5 OMR payment online, forasmuch as other Indian travellers can get a sponsored visa by paying 5 OMR, in addition, a processing fee through their tour operators. This is in addition to the existing e-visa for Oman which is assessable at 20 OMR with a validity of one month. The amendments include dividing tourist visas into three parts: 10 days, one month and one year.

“As part of its 2040 strategy, the Ministry of Tourism is undertaking major steps to develop and promote a series of destinations across Oman, offering visitors a broader variety of distinctive experiences, with the goal of encouraging extended visits and greater engagement with the country’s culture and natural sites”, Lubaina Sheerazi added.

Also, the Ministry of Tourism is dedicated to committed to enhancing the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism component and to aid Oman to achieve its potential to be a first-class destination for the business tourism segment. Oman has seen a powerful increase in this sector with the launch of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) in Muscat, which fulcrum international and local organizations in hosting large events. The OCEC incorporate ultra-modern theatres, conference rooms and will eventually have four hotels with almost 1000 rooms along with dominant exhibition halls that can cater to tens of thousands of people at one time

Oman is not only looking a surge in MICE travel but also a preferred wedding destination for many. Muscat is a well-endowed city with modern infrastructure and implements a perfect set up for weddings with various urban world class hotels. Being under 3 hours away from India and having admirable air connectivity with various cities in India also makes Oman a preferable wedding destination for Indians.

Oman provides an authentic Arabian experience, Oman Air, the national carrier is connected via direct flights with primary Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Kochi, Goa, Jaipur and Thiruvananthapuram. Besides, Air India, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and IndiGo are also be connected to Oman from various cities of India.

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