(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) As summer vacations approach, the travel and tourism industry in Oman is seeing a shift in preferences of holiday makers. Thailand, which for long remained favourite for tourists from Oman, is being pipped by European destination, especially Schengen countries. Travel agents say that second favourite destinations are Far Eastern countries. Interest in cruise packages too has increased.
Santosh Mathew, manager, Bahwan Holidays, which is part of Bahwan Travels said, ''European destinations are getting popular, and we have been receiving queries more than before. On top of our list are Spain, Switzerland, Scandinavian countries, followed by Malaysia and Singapore. Queries for Thailand have dropped this year primarily because of the situation, as we assume from our customers.''
He added, ''It's good to see European countries gaining the attention of people in Oman. Due to the rush, Schengen visa appointments are problems for clients. The other interesting observation is that a lot of groups have started taking the cruise. Families prefer a cruise around Europe and Mediterranean trips. Ten to 15 families have booked for cruises.'' Shashi Sanjeev, general manager, Time Travel & Tourism said, ''We are getting queries for Europe. Top on the list are Turkey and France, besides other Schengen countries. Singapore and Malaysia follow. We have noticed that people prefer Kenya for wildlife and Sri Lanka, Maldives and Mauritius for honeymoons. Cyprus has not got queries, but it is a great destination and we would like to promote it as well.''
According to Ahmed el Desouky, head of Leisure Outpoint, the vacation division of Travel Point, ''The new trend that people are adopting is to travel in groups and they prefer multiple places rather than sticking with one option. Tapping the trend, we have introduced group travels which give our clients an opportunity to travel to nine countries within 15 days at reasonable rates. Since April we have had tremendous response where about 250 people have availed this option.''
He further added, ''Apart from this, families are also choosing destinations like Disneyland, France.
Honeymooners enquire about Morocco, Spain, Portugal etc. We have some great multidestination packages for America. Going by the enquiries, we are expecting 1,200 people to avail these packag
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