(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) The travel and tourism sector in Oman has experienced year-on-year growth with all indicators pointing to increasing growth throughout the sultanate both in terms of visitor numbers and positive contributions to the economic growth and employment.
To accommodate growing demand tourism infrastructure in Oman is being developed at pace. The progress of tourism development projects is showcased in the recently published Oman Tourism Development Co (Omran) Operating Review 2014.
According to Omran group CEO Eng Wael al Lawati building capacity and capability within the sector is a matter of national priority. 'Visitor numbers are expected to rise steadily over the coming years. The government is currently developing the right mix of infrastructure and quality services to accommodate growing numbers of visitors. At Omran we are working hard to build capability and capacity within the sector in order to harness the sultanate's great potential as an international destination of choice.'
The tourism development company witnessed significant internal changes in 2014. According to Eng Lawati Omran conducted a comprehensive operational review and a strategic restructuring plan was then submitted to the board of directors to establish three new companies under the umbrella of Omran.
The creation of the subsidiaries aims to allow greater specialisation in a number of key functions and allow Omran to grow and expand its strategic mandate as a master developer and incubator of mega real-estate and tourism projects. The three new companies now cover each of the key areas of Omran's operations - hospitality management heritage and culture and project management. The formation of the new companies comes after the separation of the legislative and development functions within the Ministry of Tourism and the assignment to Omran for the ongoing responsibility for tourism-related project developments asset management and operational services in Oman.
Omran was officially appointed as the master developer for Hay al Irfan urban development last year. The master plan for the development which is poised to be the largest mixed-use development ever seen in the sultanate is under way and is expected to be ready in the first quarter of 2016. Meanwhile construction work on the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) continues at pace with RO147mn of major tenders recently awarded.
Last year also saw the soft openings of the Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort and Atana Musandam. Both destinations have attracted significant acclaim and have pocketed a growing number of national regional and international awards and accolades. In 2015 both hotels became the first developments in Oman to be awarded the prestigious LEED green building certification.
Progress has also been made on Omran's joint-venture projects including Ras al Hadd Development Saraya Bandar Jissah and Al Baleed Resort. When completed these will increase the tourism and real-estate offerings and strengthen the sector.
Eng Lawati stressed the importance of sustainable development as a roadmap for the future. 'Omran's commitment to social responsibility goes hand in hand with our position as a corporate leader in the communities in which we operate. We work in harmony with our local communities on a number of projects and initiatives to support and promote local talent. Nurturing local talent within Omran is also a key priority for the company with our current Omanisation levels standing at 72 per cent.'
Omran's sustainability initiatives have been recognised nationally regionally and internationally through a growing number of awards and accolades including 'Best Environmentally Friendly Project Award' for the Marine life Campaign and 'Best Women's Empowerment Project' for the Sewing Incubator project at the Asia CSR Awards 2014.
Eng Lawati expressed confidence at the steady progress of the sector but highlighted the continuing need for partnerships and investment from both the public and private sectors. 'Investing in hospitality and mixed-use developments today makes good business sense. Investments lay solid foundations for a stronger travel and tourism sector and thus an increasingly diversified and resilient economy in the coming years. Building capacity and capability of the sector is vital in order to accommodate growing numbers of visitors arriving on our shores every year and ensuring that they will keep returning in years to come.
'It is not only visitors who will benefit from Oman's growing tourism sector. Over the next ten years the projected employment growth within Oman's travel and tourism sector is set to increase 3.8 per cent annually by 2025 according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. These figures are a clear evidence of the sector's increasingly important role in creating a sustainable future for young Omanis. Given Omran's position as the nation's developer for tourism and mixed-use destinations it is deeply pleasing to witness the steady increase in employment opportunities as the travel and tourism sector in the sultanate continues to elevate its position on the world stage.'
Recent reports and publications highlight a bright future for the sector. According to the 2015 World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report Oman is ranked ninth out of 141 nations in terms of tourism safety and security. Earlier this year the New York Times named Oman as among the 52 top places to visit in 2015.
In 2013 the sultanate welcomed 1.9mn visitors with estimates placing the 2014 figure at well over 2mn.
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