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‘Effect of regional strife on tourism minimal’

14 Oct 2024 ‘Effect of regional strife on tourism minimal’ By OUR CORRESPONDENT

Muscat – The geopolitical situation in the Middle East has had a slight impact on Oman’s tourism sector but authorities are confident about a strong winter season.

Speaking at the 2nd Arab Forum for Tourism Statistics in Muscat on Monday, H E Salim Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, announced that more than 450 charter flights are expected this winter season which will boost tourism in the sultanate, Dhofar in particular.

While acknowledging that some bookings have been cancelled due to geopolitical concerns, H E Mahrouqi expressed optimism that the overall effect on tourism would be minimal. He highlighted the steady influx of tourists, projecting that winter tourism figures this year could double compared to previous seasons. “The flow of tourists reflects a steady growth,” he noted, underscoring significant potential for the coming months.

The three-day forum, hosted by National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) in collaboration with Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the Arab League, brings together experts and officials from across the Arab world. The event aims to improve the collection and analysis of tourism data, fostering greater collaboration among Arab countries in measuring tourism performance.

Dr Khalifa bin Abdullah al Barwani, CEO of NCSI, pointed to the global rebound in tourism and stated that 1.3bn tourists travelled in 2023, marking 89% of pre-pandemic levels.

He added that export revenues from international tourism reached US$1.8tn, accounting for 6% of global exports and 25% of service exports.

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