As winter season sets in, tourists flock to enjoy beauty of Oman

Muscat: As temperatures in most of the governorates of Oman dips with the onset of winter season, hundreds of thousands of tourists arrive here from various countries of the world.
From the beginning of October till the end of April, tourists flock to Oman to enjoy the beauty of the environment of the Sultanate with all its components. The mountains, plains, vast deserts and 3,165-km long coasts attract them. These natural beauties are complemented by the elements of civilization and heritage.
Saleh bin Ali Al Khaifi, Director of Tourism Promotion and Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism, said that the winter tourist season is the most popular attraction. The promotional efforts made by the tourism companies and establishments have made it more alluring.
“The intensification of the promotional drive for the coming season became profitable for the companies, hotels and small and medium enterprises. It has also resulted in increase in the arrival of tourists leading to rise in the tourism revenues.”
Al Khaifi said that by the end of 2018, the number of hotel establishments in the Sultanate reached 412 having a total of 22,182 rooms. These facilities are of various classifications and categories and spread in all governorates of the country, he added.
“They are trying to provide high quality services by giving attention to their accompanying facilities, offers, and organising entertainment and tourism programmes for their guests resulting in more bookings and their growth,” he said.
Al Khaifi pointed out that the preparations for this tourist season are not just limited to what hotels do to offer promotions, there is a tireless work made by tourism companies to attract more tourists.
He said these efforts are made several months in advance through international events and exhibitions or giving integrated tourism packages which include adventure tourism, camping and diving.