FEATURE OMAN
positive. We’ll be doing a road show in May 2012, probably taking in London, Manchester and Glasgow. Our online training programme with Travel Uni, The Oman Academy is ongoing, and we've had five trade fams since September. "We’re focusing on stimulating demand from the consumer too, so that agents can capitalise on this and turn it into bookings. We’ve got about 15 poster sites in three Heathrow terminals. Next year we’ll be unveiling a new branding campaign, too. "The country’s had some great
OMAN Top Selling Tips...
• Suggest an unusual side- trip... “Recommend clients add an extension to Salalah to follow the Frankincense trail – it’s a truly Arabian experience”
NIKKI HAIN product manager, Premier Holidays
• Marvel at the scenery... “Take a trip to Jebel Shams and see Arabia’s own Grand Canyon – Wadi Ghul”
Kevin ColeS product & purchasing manager Travel 2
• explore the magic heritage... “Oman is rich in Arabic culture and has a history dating back over 5,000 years. it really is the perfect choice for those in search of a slice of ‘True Arabia’”
NIKKI HAIN Premier Holidays
• visit historical forts... “Take a day tour through the Hajar Mountains and seek out the enchanting 17th century forts of nizwar”
Kevin ColeS Travel 2
welcoming outsiders. Despite all this, the country remains a little-known destination for many British travellers, making it a prime contender for those holidaymakers looking to try somewhere new. There’s exoticism in spades, and easy access too – British Airways and Oman Air both fly direct into Oman's capital, Muscat, from Heathrow, a journey of around seven hours. It’s also no surprise, given its 1700 kilometre-long coastline, to find that the country offers a number of handsome, first-rate beaches. The arabesque buildings and stately majesty of Muscat make it a welcome inclusion on any itinerary – it was recently named Capital of Arab Tourism for 2012 – but it’s outside the city that the full allure of the country really makes itself felt. There are fjords, deserts, mountains
and giant dunes, with some 15 nature reserves. The country also offers the chance to experience Bedouin desert camps or time-honoured local villages – various other Gulf destinations run similar trips, but in Oman these are very much the real deal. The appeal, in many ways, lies in its suitability for different client types. Couples will find some of the most magnificent resorts in the Middle East, outward bound types will be spoilt for choice and cultural tourists can choose from an impressive roster of festivals, concerts and sporting events.
From left: the warm waters lapping the beaches of Oman are a major attraction for UK visitors
26 December 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
What's New A striking new Royal Opera House opened in Muscat in October, the first of its kind in the Gulf. A large cruise terminal was inaugurated at Port Sultan Qaboos last year (cruise arrivals reached 230,000 in the 12 months to
Suggest oman to clients looking for somewhere 'new'
June 2011). Elsewhere, a major development, The Wave Muscat, will welcome an 18-hole Greg Norman golf course in 2012, as well as new hotels from Fairmont and Kempinski. A $1 billion conference centre is earmarked to open in 2014. In the airline world, bmi has announced a code share deal with Oman Air earlier in the year, allowing customers to book through to Muscat from any of BMI’s UK departure points, via Heathrow.
Tourism Talk ALISON CRYER
director UK & Ireland, Oman Office of Tourism There’s been a 10 per
cent growth in overall visitor figures for the year ending August 2011, with UK numbers holding steady at around 100,000. The next 12 months look very
recognition – Muscat recently came second in Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Cities for 2012. We’ve also got new direct flights from Zurich and Moscow."
From The Front Line DAVE ARCHER
specialist sales and business development, Robert Broad Travel
“Oman’s a beautiful country – it’s how Arabia used to be and very different to Dubai. It’s far more traditional. Muscat certainly has the hotels, but there’s much more to the destination than its resorts. It’s somewhere that appeals to different types of clients – the Shangri- La hotels attract families, the Chedi’s more for couples and the Al Bustan perhaps draws better-off clients looking for luxury. A lot of clients aren’t yet really aware of other areas such as Salalah and Musandam.”
BEV TOWNEND agency sales coordinator, ITC Classics “Oman is a great winter sun destination and has something for everyone. Our top seller is Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah which is a huge resort with hotels for different needs. Those who book by January 31 2012 receive 20-30 per cent off accommodation, valid all year.”
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