Tourism on the upswing

The growing abilities of Omani shopkeepers in tourist destinations to speak English, French and even German is a sure indication of tourism making its impact.
Gone are the days of the stray tourist. Since the last two years, huge batches of eager tourists from European and Asian countries have continued to descend on the Sultanate to seek and savour the rich heritage and cultural glory of the land.

While most come with sceptism that visiting an Arab nation may not be a safe proposition, they return reassured that Oman is not only one of the safest countries in the world but also culturally vibrant and endowed with stunning natural beauty.

The government's policy is focused on bringing in quality tourists rather than quantity. "We are not out to sell Oman on her fine beaches but rather to attract visitors interested in our heritage, history and archeology," an official recently said.
No matter what type of tourist wishes to come to Oman, the number of tourists has steadily increased, probably because of the good infrastructure and the unmatched Omani hospitality.

Oman boasts one of the most diverse environments in the Middle East and has pursued an impressive environmental strategy to preserve its ecological balance while fostering its economic development. Besides its natural beauty and friendly people, the biggest attractions are the ancient archeological sites, some of which are being currently restored.

As never before, tourism is being given national priority. The government is aware of the effects of large-scale tourism. Large influxes of tourists could seriously threaten the environment by severely stressing Oman's delicate resources, such as water and land.
Even as Oman opens its hospitality doors wider to boost tourism, the country needs to consider the cultural impact of Western or Europeran tourists when they interact with a Muslim society that has been somewhat isolated from the modern world until about three decades ago.

Of the many reasons a tourist might come to Oman, one of them definitely is to experience the smell of burning frankincense. The aromatic resin, once considered as precious as gold, continues to be Oman’s most famous export.
Frankincense comes from a desert tree which is native to Southeast Arabia and Somalia. Dhofar, Oman's southernmost region, is one of the few places where the trees grow abundantly.

Frankincense, used as an aromatic and a medicine, was important to the religious rites of every religion in the world. It was a vital ingredient in perfumes, incense, embalming, and aromatherapy. It was largely exported to the temples of Egypt, Jerusalem, and Rome. And it is the control of the frankincese trade that made the South Arabians one of the richest people in the world.

Currently, Oman's tourism development plan is focused on attracting foreign investment in projects such as hotels, golf courses and theme parks. The tourism sector offers a variety of employment opportunities for a rapidly expanding Omani workforce. But the sector's growth will partly depend on getting an educated and trained personnel.

Visa restrictions on tourists were eased in 1987 and only business travelers and tourists on expensive package tours were initially allowed in. The government, however, is not really keen on encouraging budget travelers who may not adapt to the culture and observe the laws of the land. The existing tourists limit is said to be around 50,000 a year but it is expected to be doubled by the next decade. By then, the Sultanate will be in a better position to handle more tourist traffic.
Minister of Tourism Dr Rajha Bint Abdul Ameer Bin Ali informed that her ministry grants permissions to foreign investors for gaining benefit from their experiences and for the role they would play in developing the tourist sector.

Regarding permissions and lands, she noted, "We at the ministry are not giving any permissions except after we have a comprehensive picture from the investor on what he wants to build and the financial capabilities he has, and, let me tell you something, some of the permissions that have been given have been later withdrawn.”
She added that the government enters in partnership deals with these investors with an eye to offer its shares in the projects for the private sector in the future.
The Shura Council requested the miniser to bring down the prices for hotel rooms, especially during the festivals and summer vacations so as to enable large numbers of tourists to visit the Sultanate.

The minister also said that the ministry was working on projects to develop a number of tourist areas, such as Rass Al Hamra, in which the government will carry out the project and offer a share directly to the private sector. She pointed at other projects that would be offered to the private sector once they are completed.

About the date set to open the Blue City project in the wilayat of Barka, the minister said that according to the Royal Decree and the agreements signed to carry out the project, the construction work will start by 2007. The first stage is expected to take four to five years. "The project will be carried out in a number of stages and, I believe, the agreements will commit the constructing company to hire a specified percentages of Omanis,” she added.

On the Omanisation percentages targeted at the tourist projects planned in Shinas, the minister pointed out that it is still too early to talk about the Shinas projec. She, however, informed that the project would include at least three hotels, each with 150-200 rooms.
As for preserving natural resources and wildlife, the government’s scientific studies and surveys call for setting aside key wildlife regions as protected areas. The Directorate General of Nature Protectorates has also planned legislation and effective natural reserve systems to ensure the conservation of natural resources.
Similarly, the ministry has reviewed policies and investigated the possibility of eco-tourism in new areas. Oman may soon put some wildlife areas under controlled access and, therefore, visitors should seek official advice of officials before venturing into such these designated areas.

The government's detailed master plan, called the Tourism Priority Action Plan, identifies integrated tourism development projects for five regions in Oman with a marketing programme for each of one of them. The plan will present a new, clear and distinct national brand, 'Oman -- The Essence of Arabia'.
The plan’s focus will be on eco-tourism, sun, sea and sand facilities, cultural and heritage attractions, adventure tourism, coastal resorts and leisure retreat resorts. The country has much to offer to visitors -- a rich cultural heritage, spectacular mountainous landscapes and desert, fine beaches, plus the warmth and hospitality of the Omani people.

The Sultanate also seeks to establish itself as an alternative destination on the Gulf tourism map by offering something different from the commercial lure of Dubai. By promoting a more sedate, culturally-enriched experience, it aims at quality tourism both from within the GCC and further afield.
The challenge now is to unleash the private sector to help drive forward tourism investment. A number of good initiatives, from hotel projects in Muscat to huge developmental plans for Salalah, the paradise of Oman, have been either set in motion or are in the pipeline. There are also plans to develop the eco-tourism potential of the Sharqiyah region and the Ras Al Hadd area which is renowned for its turle beach.

The 2005 international conference on tourism and architecture, organized by the Sultanate of Oman and represented by the Ministry of Tourism, was a pointer to the efforts in providing added fillip to tourism.
The conference, “Built Environments for Sustainable Tourism (BEST) -- Sustainability, Cultural Diversity and Destination Image”, was held in conjunction with UNESCO and World Tourism Organisation (WTO).

A high-ranking official of the Ministry of Tourism noted that the conference, organised for the very first time in the region, examined case studies of successful models in the sector of tourism architecture among other objectives in order to draw insights plans for the Sultanate. The conference also examined tourism projects all over the world, ranging in scale from eco-lodges to regional master plans for mass tourism, that successfully incorporated principles of sustainability in all elements of their physical and architectural design.

The conference identified principles, guidelines and specific criteria that can be applied to the design of resorts, hotels and other tourism infrastructure in order to guarantee the authenticity of the tourism offered in the region and its long-term sustainability as well as the maintenance of the distinctive character of cities in the Sultanate.

The event went a long way to highlight examples of best architectural and design practices where respect for the principles of sustainability and cultural diversity have led to commercial success for the private sector as well as identify ways and means to disseminate such principles, guidelines and criteria among the architectural professionals, tourism planners and developers.
Another objective of the conference was to find ways to encourage national and local government to undertake the required political, legislative changes and administrative systems that could ensure the realization of the above principles in all tourism development programs and projects.

Blue City

Blue City project involves the creation of a new city at a prime seaside location near Muscat. The project was kicked off in January 2006 with the signing of a US $1.9 billion construction agreement between developers ASIT (Al Sawadi Investment and Tourism Co.) and a joint venture group of Enka Insaat ve Sanayi AS (ENKA) of Turkey and Aktor Ate (AKTOR) of Greece for work on Phase I. This is Oman's largest-ever real estate agreement. The entire development, in ten phases, will take 15 years to complete at a total estimated cost of US $20 billion.
As one of the Sultanate's most ambitious projects, Blue City is a visionary urban and lifestyle development in the region. When finished, it will embrace approximately 34 sq km at Al Sawadi, 25 minutes drive from the airport. It will house more than 250,000 inhabitants. Together with its surrounding areas, it will have the capacity to absorb and serve upto two million tourists a year.
On completion of Phase I, Blue City will include three five-star hotels, each with approximately 200 rooms, one golf resort hotel with a double 18-hole championship signature golf course laid out along the creek, a tourist village with a contemporary souq, heritage museum and 1000 apartment units, 1200 villa/apartment units integrated in the golf course park, and many public and semi-public attractions including a waterfront amphitheatre. It will also house a boutique hotel designed, equipped and managed by Gordon Campbell Gray, the world-famous London hotelier.

The Wave

Overlooking the Gulf of Oman near the Seeb International Airport, is The Wave, a US $1 billion master plan covering a 2,500,000 sq m along 6-km of natural beach. The project, for which the construction work started in May last year, involves infrastructure development and site improvement that will encompass a signature 18-hole green golf course, 300-berth marina, four luxury hotels, villas, retail and restaurant outlets.
The Wave is being developed through a joint venture of Oman's Waterfront Investments (representing the Government of Oman), National Investment Funds Company (representing the Omani Pension Funds), and the UAE-based Majid Al Futtaim Investments. The master planning exercise for the project was carried out by OBM International, a firm specialised in integrated residential and resort developments with extensive experience in the USA, the Caribbean, Western Europe and the Middle East.
The first residents will move in towards the end of 2007 or early 2008 and the golf course and marina will also be operational by then. The Marina Village will consist of one- to three-bedroom luxury apartments designed along traditional Omani lines and built around courtyards with extensive landscaping. The townhouses will comprise of two- to four-bedrooms with private gardens and easy access to beach. In addition, there will be garden/waterfront and beachfront villas within 200 meters of water and a short walk to the exclusive natural beach.

Muscat Golf and Country Club

Another project catching the attention of the international community is the Muscat Golf and Country Club. Project Managers Laing Oman, part of the worldwide company Laing O'Rourke, is moving fully ahead with the project, which aims for completion before the end of 2006. The projects represents a quantum leap forward in providing a self-contained residential-cum-golfing community. With just 160 residential units surrounding what is likely to become the region's most famous golf course, Muscat Golf and Country Club is going to combine scenic mountain splendour with a world-class sporting facility and luxurious residential villas and apartments.

The Al Hota Cave Train

The project is going to be another unique addition to Oman's irresistible tourism offerings. It will offer an incredible journey with synchronised light and sound effects to earth's underground. Currently under construction, the project is about 150 kms from Nizwa. Schedule to complete by the end of this year, the 8-car train will travel over a bridge and down the escarpment of a mountain and into a rock cavern 2 km below the earth’s surface.
The passengers will disembark in a cavern large enough to hold seven Jumbo 747 aircrafts and adorned with a huge lake. Visitors will be able to view bats and amazing birdlife from the walkway around the perimeter.