India becomes 2nd highest source market for tourism to the Sultanate of Oman
India becomes 2nd highest source
market for tourism to the Sultanate of Oman, with an increase of 12.37% in
tourist arrivals
357,147 Indian travellers visited the country
from January to December 2018
Chennai, March 2019: The Sultanate of Oman has recorded a 12.37% growth in Indian tourist
arrivals with 357,147 travellers visiting the country from January to December
2018 vis-à-vis 317,844 in 2017 making India the second highest source market
for Oman. This marks a remarkable growth of 39.4% over the last five years, as
per the statistics released by Oman’s National Centre for Statistics and
Information (NCSI). The country received 1,484,063 international travelers in
2018 vis-à-vis 1,369,199 in
2017, which is significantly higher, showcasing a growth of over 8.39%. The numbers do not include regional
travelers from other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, who do not
require a visa.
Speaking about the incredible growth, Ms.
Lubaina Sheerazi, India Representative, Ministry of Tourism, Oman said “2018
has been a splendid year for the Ministry of Tourism. India represents a substantial and vast market for Oman, given the
high percentage of travellers willing to travel abroad and experience new
destinations. We have been observing a steady year-on-year increase in tourist
arrivals to Oman from India and are extremely pleased with the consistent
growth. India has been an important market for us and we are delighted to say
that it has been one of the best performing countries, reaching the status of
second highest source market after GCC. Several initiatives have contributed to
this success, such as launch of the Electronic visa, direct flight connectivity
from various cities in India and opening of the new passenger terminal at
Muscat International Airport, among others.”
With growing number of travellers each year,
the Oman Tourism Strategy,
developed by the Ministry of Tourism (MOT), foresees at least 11.7mn
international and domestic tourists by 2040, triggered by domestic and
international investments into the sector of around OMR 20 billion over the period.
“As part of the its 2040 strategy, the Ministry of Tourism is
undertaking major steps to develop and promote a series of destinations across Oman,
offering visitors a broader variety of distinctive experiences, with the goal
of encouraging extended visits and greater engagement with the country’s
culture and natural sites”, Ms. Sheerazi added.
The significant increase in incoming tourism has been the result of
the economic diversification strategy adopted by the government of Oman. Last
year saw the opening of the state-of-the-art
Muscat International Airport, giving the country a plush gateway offering
unrivaled service and earning the prestigious best new airport in the world. Also,
to attract more travellers to visit the country, Oman announced a new
short-term tourist visa at 5 Omani Riyal (OMR) equivalent to approximately INR
930, for a 10-day visit. Indians who hold a valid visa to any one of these
countries – United States of America, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan
and Schengen States can avail the Oman visa through an e-visa process by simply
logging on to https://evisa.rop.gov.om/ and make the 5 OMR payment online, whereas
other Indian travellers can get a sponsored visa by paying 5 OMR plus
processing fee through their tour operators. This is in addition to the
existing e-visa for Oman which is available at 20 OMR with a validity of one
month. The amendments include dividing tourist visas into three sections: 10
days, one month and one year.
Additionally, the Ministry of Tourism is fully committed to enhancing
the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism component and
to help Oman achieve its potential to be a first-class destination for the
business tourism segment. Oman has seen a significant increase in this sector
with the launch of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) in Muscat,
which supports international and local organizations in hosting large events.
The OCEC includes ultra modern theatres, conference rooms and will eventually
have four hotels with almost 1000 rooms along with major exhibition halls that
can cater to tens of thousands of people at one time.
Oman is not only seeing a surge in MICE travel but also a preferred
wedding destination for many. Muscat is a well endowed city with modern
infrastructure and provides a perfect set up for weddings with various urban
world class hotels. Being under 3 hours away from India and having excellent air
connectivity with various cities in India also makes Oman a preferable wedding
destination for Indians.
Oman Air, the national carrier is connected via direct flights with
major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow,
Kozhikode, Kochi, Goa, Jaipur and Thiruvananthapuram. Besides, Air India, Jet
Airways, SpiceJet and IndiGo are also well connected to Oman from various
cities of India.
Oman offers an authentic Arabian experience coupled with genuine
hospitality and boasts of scenic beauty, rich culture, historic monuments and a
beautiful coastline. The country has modern infrastructure along with beautiful
communion of old world charm and modernism. This makes Oman a preferred
destination for travellers looking for a unique experience. The country’s
stunning landscape appeals to every kind of holiday seeker: from families
looking for group joint activities, to a perfect
honeymoon getaway or a group of friends in quest for an adventure of a
lifetime.
