Oman

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DIAB: Some travellers prefer culture to shopping.

Oman hoteliers are counting on the country’s diversity and range of tourist options to see them through tough times in the year ahead.

With destinations as diverse as beaches, deserts and mountains, Oman offers a variety of tourism experiences that can attract short- and long-term visitors.

The country has an emerging business tourism market and is increasingly attracting younger, more adventurous guests, according to hoteliers in the region.

Golden Tulip director of operations Paul Diab says Oman is one of the most unique countries in the region and has “more to offer” to tourists than some of its neighbours.

“You have the wide variety of locations and destinations in the sultanate of Oman from Salalah to Mussandam on the coastline and the interior as well,” says Diab.

“There are many different areas located in the sultanate; you can not only have a resort on the beach, you can also have properties inland that have different destinations — from caves to castles — to see and explore.

“With Oman, the space is available, the country is large and you have so many things you can do — not only beaches and shopping.”

Golden Tulip currently has four properties in Oman, based in Mussandam, Muscat and Nizwa. Diab says the company sees the potential for further growth in the country.

“We are in the process of looking at different projects and different developments in the country for additional properties in different destinations in Oman,” he says.

“We’re just looking and negotiating at the moment.”

More than Muscat

Diab says that as the main point of entry into the country, Muscat remains a focus in Oman.

“Unfortunately there is still limited access by air to Oman besides Muscat,” he explains.

“You can do day trips out of Muscat if you want to, but I recommend that visitors go and stay in other locations, like Nizwa; it is nice to stay the night and experience different cultural things.”

Diab says adventure tourism is a new market that can be exploited by operators.

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