Friday 19 / April / 2024
Muscat: As part of the economic diversification plans and in order to attract 11.7 million tourists, including 5 million foreign visitors by 2040, the Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group), in cooperation with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, has launched the brand identity of the National Travel Operator ‘VisitOman.om’.
It is the first integrated digital platform that will serve the travel and trade network in the Sultanate, in line with the National Tourism Strategy 2040.
The brand revealing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism on Monday under the patronage of Salim Mohammed Al-Mahrooqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism.
The VisitOman.om National Operator platform for travel and tourism aims to enhance the Sultanate’s position in the global travel and tourism markets by effectively creating a digital link between Omani travel and tourism service providers and commercial trade partners in the key target markets, while stimulating the relevant business opportunities through a systemised process that is geared towards achieving direct sales and connecting the providers’ offers and incentives.
This digitally-focused approach will also play a vital role in raising the quality of tourism experience and expenditure in the Sultanate.
The platform will feature advanced digital solutions and technology which will connect the entire accredited Omani travel supply chain globally.
Providers across aviation, accommodation facilities (hotels), transportation, tourist destinations, various types of tourist experiences, restaurants and other tourism products will be showcased with instant confirmation of bookings.
Presently at the initial stage, registration will be available to partners in the travel and tourism sector in international markets, as well as the local suppliers operating in the Sultanate, including Omani tour operators and destination management companies. In addition, the platform will give the new local tourism service providers, who have not had the opportunity to expand their business globally, to compete in the international markets.
On this occasion, the Minister of Heritage and Tourism, said, “The launch of the brand identity of the National Travel Operator ‘VisitOman.om’ is an important step that aligns with Oman Vision 2040 and the economic diversification plans.
“The platform will digitise the local tourism supply chain, in cooperation with our partners, and will become a vital factor in supporting the Sultanate’s vision to increase local and international investments in the tourism infrastructure, in addition to achieving our objective to attract 11.7 million tourists by 2040.”
He added, “This platform is also in line with the recovery plan adopted by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.”
Abdulsalam Mohammed Al-Murshidi, Chairman of Oman Investment Authority (OIA), said, “We look forward to the role this platform will play in supporting OIA’s approach of empowering the private sector to lead the national economy, as well as support the SME sector. We will continue to support initiatives by companies under OIA in this regard.”
Eng. Mohammed Salim Al-Busaidi, Chairman of OMRAN Group, said, “The launch of the VisitOman.om platform is an important step for OMRAN Group to achieve its vision by investing in the tourism sector’s value chain, whilst implementing and activating the tourism distribution strategy that aims to increase the number of inbound tourism to the Sultanate from various major regional and international markets. This also goes hand in hand with the group’s tireless efforts to develop the sector by establishing sustainable projects that contribute to economic diversification. It comes in line with the Group’s unremitting efforts to develop the sector by establishing sustainable projects that contribute to economic diversification. This platform will enhance the contribution of local and international partners through various investment and business opportunities and will work to strengthen strategic tourism and commercial partnerships with the service providers who will benefit from the promising opportunities that the platform will provide.”
“As the executive arm of the Sultanate for tourism development, OMRAN Group will leverage on the VisitOman.om potential. The platform will enable business partners and customers to make direct and fast reservations, hence fostering integration between supply and demand,” Al Busaidi added.
In view of the importance that the OMRAN Group attaches to promoting the meetings, incentives and conferences sector, the Group commissioned the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre to provide the necessary support to accelerate the pace of building the platform and the linkage with strategic clients, aiming to launch all platform services during Q4 of this year.
