The Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Tourism announced that it will participate at the Riyadh Travel Fair 2018 along with leading players in regional and international travel and tourism to showcase the Sultanate’s latest and most competitive tourism projects set as major attractions for Saudi and regional tourists. The travel trade show, which will take place from April 10 to 13, 2018, plays a strategic importance in bridging linkages among major travel, tourism, and hospitality decision makers both from the public and private sectors to discuss current and future trends within the global tourism industry.

Oman’s participation at the event aims to promote the country as a leading regional tourism destination for holiday makers in Saudi Arabia. The exhibition will highlight new and upcoming projects that promises an exceptional tourism experience for regional and international visitors, especially the new Muscat International Airport. The latest infrastructure development boasts of advanced facilities such as a bigger runway of four square kilometers and a width of 75 meters, capable of receiving the largest aircraft in the world, as well as world-class services to accommodate the influx of passengers.

Salim Bin Udai al Maamari, Director General of Tourism Promotion, Oman Ministry of Tourism, said: “that its participation at the Riyadh Travel Fair 2018 is part of the Ministry’s strategy to promote the Sultanate within the Gulf tourism market, noting its significance as a strategic platform for connecting with Saudi and Arab Gulf tourists and present the viability of the country’s tourism market featuring scenic, cultural and historical heritage sites that places the Sultanate at the forefront of global destinations.”

Al Maamari added: “Our participation in the largest tourism and travel event in Saudi Arabia is of strategic importance as it coincides with the inauguration of the new Muscat International Airport and the introduction of the electronic system on visa issuance, the e-Visa services for non GCC nationals, aimed at facilitating tourists’ entry in line with our efforts to accelerate digital technology access in the sector. We look forward to highlighting the promising opportunities and prospects for investments in Oman’s tourism sector, giving Saudi tourists the opportunity to closely review their options and choice of services. Tourism remains one of the leading components in the country’s economic diversification program and a big contributor to GDP growth.”

“We are optimistic about the sector’s performance this year, which will continue to be a major boost in our efforts to implement key developments, campaigns and tourism programs in line with the Oman Tourism Strategy aimed at making the Sultanate one of the world’s top destinations for leisure, exploration and meetings by 2040,” he concluded.

The Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Tourism pavilion at the Riyadh Travel Fair 2018 will host several local travel and tourism industry leaders, including the Arabian Experience, Anantara Green Mountain Resort, and Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara.