(MENAFN - Times of Oman) Dr Rajiha bint Abdulamir bin Ali, minister of tourism, emphasised on the comprehensive development of tourism and real estate sectors in the GCC.
The minister, while addressing the Gulf Tourism and Property Investment Forum (GTPIF) yesterday, stated that she was optimistic about the outcome of the forum to come up with recommendations and proposals to realise the vision of the GCC in these two sectors.
The GTPIF forum, which is being hosted by the Tourism and Real Estate Investment Committee of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce, is being held under the auspices of Dr Rajiha bint Abdulamir bin Ali.
The three-day forum which commenced at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel here yesterday, will conclude tomorrow.
Support
Speaking at the event Rajiha said, "the forum has come about at the right time and will discuss ways of dealing with the present global scenario in the tourism and real estate investments sectors".
Khalil Abdullah Al Khonji, chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) assured that the forum, the first of its kind in Oman, has a special significance.
He further pointed out that the forum has support of all authorities connected with the tourism and real estate sectors in the Sultanate as well as GCC countries.
Quoting reports published by the specialised organisations, the OCCI chairman said that the volume of tourism projects under implementation in all the GCC countries up to the year 2018 is estimated at $230 billion.
"This indicates that the investment in tourism and
property sectors has recorded an increase in the GCC," he said.
Adding that the cost of real estate projects under construction in GCC countries exceeds $2,400 billion, Khonji said, "While going through these reports, we find a remarkable growth in the tourism movement among Arab and GCC countries. In 2008, the growth rate of tourism in the Middle East was 11 per cent compared to the global rate of 2 per cent."
Arab region
"The World Tourism Organisation estimates that the growth in the Arab region will remain on an average between 2 per cent and 6 per cent during the current year," he added.
Underlining that indicators were encouraging, Khonji said, "This can be realised through joint action between the
public and private sectors along with the relevant organisations."
The chairman of OCCI also emphasised that the Omani private sector was interested in augmenting its role and contribution in achieving the ambitions of the country in tourism related activities.
By Mrudu Naik
