Muscat – In a strategic move to bolster the tourism sector, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), together with Oman Tourism College and Rima Events and Conference Planning Company, hosted a forum called Tourism Pioneers on Monday.

Held under the patronage of Sayyid Saud bin Hilal al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat, the event took place at the chamber’s premises, attended by key stakeholders from the tourism industry.

The forum was designed to empower stakeholders in the tourism sector and sustain its growth by facilitating exchange of experiences and enhancing direct communication among emerging tourism companies. The interaction aimed to promote their services, special offers and packages more effectively.

The forum was held alongside Oman Tourism Exhibition, which featured various youth-led tourism projects. The exhibition provided a vital platform for participating companies to showcase their services and products, improving their visibility to potential customers and investors.

The forum began with a welcome speech that outlined its objectives, followed by presentations of seven tourism ventures. These presentations not only introduced the services offered but also shed light on the challenges these fledgling enterprises face within the sector.

The forum concluded with several insightful working papers focusing on the significant impact of tourism on economic development, strategies for nurturing new tourism projects for the international market, and the principles of corporate governance within the industry. These discussions underscored the critical role of tourism in Oman’s economic landscape and the continued efforts to prepare these ventures for greater success.