(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) The Kiel Week was not just an important sailing event for Oman. A by-product of the regatta has been the response by potential German tourists.
The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) which set up the Oman Tourism Pavilion in Keil – the only pavilion at the event - said it was 'delighted' with the response.
Echoing this a leading tour operator based in Hamburg said that people from northern Germany are beginning to show interest in the sultanate.
Speaking to Muscat Daily at the Oman Tourism Pavilion during the Kieler Woche (Kiel Week) the world largest sailing festival Patrick Diedrichsen of Travel Individuell a leading tour operator said 'Munich and Frankfurt constitute the main regions from where German tourists travel to Oman. But of late we have seen a growing interest from Hamburg (Germany's second largest city) and its neighbouring states from northern Germany.'
Germany provides one of the key markets for Oman's tourism and according to MoT statistics the country is only next to Britain which sends the maximum tourists to Oman. In 2014 Oman received 139362 visitors from Britain 59400 from Germany and 56962 from the US.
Diedrichsen added 'The Oman Tourism Pavilion in Kiel was a great way to promote awareness as not many are aware of Oman's potential as a tourist destination. With it being the only country to have a pavilion at the world famous Kiel Week it was certainly an attraction for those visiting the festival. People were curious to know about the Arab nation and with ministry and Oman Sail officials on hand to explain about the country it sent out the right signals.'
It was the second time that Oman Sail and MoT have set up the pavilion. The presence of Oman Sail's flagship MOD70 trimaran Musandam-Oman Sail helped garner a lot of attention.
Musandam-Oman Sail won the Kiel Week Welcome Race and holds the record of the fastest boat at the regatta where more than 5000 sailors from 50 countries and 2000 ships were seen in action. About 3mn visitors attended the annual event which concluded on Sunday.
'The huge colourful main mast of Musandam-Oman Sail was a big hit with people here who were pleased to know about Oman Sail's active sailing programme' said Diedrichsen.
With Oman Air flying direct to Munich and Frankfurt the tour operator said a direct flight to Hamburg will help tourist inflow to Oman.
Meanwhile Abdullah al Saadi an MoT representative at the pavilion said that they were delighted with the response of visitors. 'We had nearly 10000 visitors at our pavilion which was inaugurated on June 23. People were keen to know about Oman and many women were happy to get henna done on their hands and watch demonstrations from Omanis weaving a carpet and making pottery' said Saadi.
He said that the tie-up with Oman Sail at major events like the Kiel Week Cowes Week and Extreme Sailing Series have resulted in successful campaign to promote the sultanate as a destination.
Saada al Harthi another representative from MoT said the pavilion showcased Omani handicraft products like silver ornaments dresses and other products including dates coffee sweets and incense.
The pavilion was also visited by the Lord Mayor of Kiel Dr Ulf Kampfer and senior corporate officials of top German multinational companies and leading tour operators. The pavilion took the visitors through a journey of Oman. The exterior walls replicated an Omani fort and the pavilion showcased Jebel Akhdar Sur Salalah Damaniyat Islands and Muscat. Sindbad the mascot entertained the guests.
Noor Alasfoor a representative from Oman Sail said that 'response was encouraging among visitors in Kiel and the presence of Musandam-Oman Sail boat certainly added to the interest as many of the visitors who follow sailing closely'. Noor said Oman Sail plans to hold more such tourism pavilions in cooperation with MoT at a few more events in Italy and Australia.
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