WHAT'S NEW IN OMAN


but there are new projects galore that will further boost the destination’s credentials. Here


Oman’s meeting and conference offering is already substantial provides a round-up of some of the latest


venue, service and infrastructure additions you should know about


Muscat to Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Pen- ang, Kuching, Singapore and Hong Kong (via KL) and bmi (opening up Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Belfast and Manchester, via London Heathrow). Domestic destina- tions covered by Oman Air are Salalah and Khasab with the airline recently reinstating services from Dubai to Salalah with flights operating twice weekly Ð on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The airline has 23 aircraft in its fleet with several more on order includ- ing six Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which are scheduled for delivery in 2014.


Oman's Ministry of Tourism has established a committee that will draw up an action plan to boost the country's tourism industry. The panel, which includes representatives from airlines, hotels, tour operators and tourism investment firms, will work with the ministry to create coordinated marketing strategies. The aim is to attract 12 million visitors annually to Oman by 2020 making the tourism industry one of the country's largest income generators. Oman's tourism industry will grow from 1.5 percent of total GDP in 2010 to 2.4 percent of GDP by 2020 according to a World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) report. It also predicted that the contri- bution to Oman's economy for tourism- related activity would increase from 7.6 percent of GDP in 2010 to 9.2 percent of GDP by 2020.


"An enhanced marketing strategy for Oman's tourism sector will ensure that tourist arrivals in the country remain high over the coming months," said a spokes- man for Oman's Ministry of Tourism. He says Oman has already approved the spending of around US$8 billion on tourism-related property developments across the country.


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Cruising towards success Preparations are underway to transform Muscat's Port Sultan Qaboos from a com- mercial port to a fully-fledged tourist hub. All commercial import, export, general cargo and container activities will be shifted to Sohar Industrial Port under Oman Government plans announced in July 2011.


Oman Air expands


Oman Air is rapidly expanding and now operates direct flights from its hub at Muscat International Airport (MIA) to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, the Maldives, Egypt, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, UK, France and Germany. It also has codeshare agreements with Malaysia Airlines (opening up flights from


Oman Air recently opened First and Busi- ness-Class lounges on the first floor of the airport with facilities including 24-hour dining, a business centre, prayer rooms, shower rooms, a children's playroom and a Chedi spa offering free 15-minute treatments. The carrier has also introduced a new chauffeur-driven service for First Class passengers departing MIA. They can be driven in a brand new Audi A8 from the airport terminal to the aircraft. The introduction of the new service follows Oman Air's introduction of First Class cabins to its fleet in October 2009. Each cabin offers just six seats, a lounge area and dedicated flight attendants. The seats are wide, provide direct aisle access and convert to extra- long, fully reclining beds.


Oman Air's Business Class seat is also well sought-after having been named the 'World's Best Business Class Airline Seat' at the 2011 World Airline Awards at the Paris Air Show. These awards are based on the views of nearly 20 million air passengers, who were surveyed by Skytrax over the last year.


PHOTO: WWW.PSCOMAN.COM


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