The Sultanate of Oman - this year's ITB host country - made a spectacular presentation at this year's edition of the world's most important tourism fair, doubling the size of its exhibition in Hall 2.2 to more than 800 square meters. The Sultanate was in charge of the traditional opening ceremony, offering a tremendous show that generated great admiration and received effusive applause.
Around 3,000 attendees had the pleasure of experiencing an extensive exhibition highlighting the country's natural beauty, culture and, above all, its characteristic music. It is important to highlight the magnificent musical performance of the Royal Sultanate Symphony Orchestra, which made a special trip to Berlin exclusively for this event.
During the opening ceremony, H.E. Salim M. Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman, noted the many thousands of years of history that Omani explorers and traders have had in traveling to unknown regions. He pointed out that diversity and authenticity are the key words that differentiate Oman from other travel destinations.
The different offers and representations at Oman's stand
We had the opportunity to visit and talk with different representatives of Omani companies dedicated to the development and promotion of tourism in this country.
The stand of the Sultanate of Oman welcomed us with delicious gastronomic specialties typical of the country prepared by expert Omani hands. It is worth mentioning that Omani cuisine is a delicious blend of flavors from different origins which makes its dishes delicious delicacies.
The representation of OMRAN Group - Oman Tourism Development Company
At the OMRAN booth we had the opportunity to talk to Marwa Al Hadidi, Treasury Analyst at the Oman Tourism Development Company, who explained the activities and achievements of this tourism development company dedicated to creating sustainable and authentic tourism values, lifestyle communities and destinations that drive economic growth and contribute to the diversification of the Omani economy.
OMRAN achieves its mandate by acting alone or as a catalyst by uniting the strength of the government with the entrepreneurial spirit of the private sector. OMRAN works with all stakeholders, partners, SMEs and local communities to ensure a positive physical, social and economic contribution to both the environment and people's lives, while respecting Oman's traditional culture and environmental values. It is also inspired by the beauty, peace and hospitality of Oman.
In this stand, we were delighted by the delicious taste of an Omani sweet that left us with a great desire to visit this country that we are sure will be an unforgettable experience.
For more information about OMRAN Group visit their website
Golden Highlights
On our visit to the Golden Highlights booth, the company's CEO, Mansoor Al Shabibi, explained that for almost 20 years, Golden Highlights has been a family business of discoverers and travelers who delight in sharing Oman's beautiful landscape with other adventurers, whether they are tourists, students, teachers or other visitors. As one of the original geo-touris companies in the Sultanate, they take environmental care and their zero plastic ambition very seriously and organize clean-up days to try to minimize the detrimental effect that waste and litter can have on our environment. They are also continuing their work to find solutions to achieve their goal: zero waste during their travels and in everyday life.
For more information about Golden Highlights visit their website
Transit Oman
Sulaiman Al Amri, director of tour operators at Transit Oman, explained that the company specializes in travel planning for the Sultanate of Oman. Transit Oman is committed to providing tourists and local citizens with the best experience of the country, promoting its natural beauty and culture. Transit Oman believes in creating and discovering innovative strategies to encourage people to learn more about the Sultanate.
For more information visit the Transit Oman website
Majan Light Travels & Tours
Majan Light Travel & Tourism is one of the leading Destination Management Company providing all-inclusive travel and event services for groups and individuals in Oman and UAE. It offers an exciting range of events, services and activities, from Desert safaris on camel back, to luxurious accommodation and game fishing. Here we had the opportunity to speak with S. M. Zahid.
For more information go to their website
Excellent and well-organized tourism promotion of the Sultanate of Oman
The tourism authorities of the Sultanate of Oman left nothing to chance when it came to promoting their country as a tourist destination with a clear emphasis on presenting Oman as an authentic destination.
For example during the ITB Berlin Convention at the event "Re-Defining Visitor Experience: It is all about Authenticity" the Sultanate of Oman was presented as a destination that fits the concept of an authentic destination. It refers to the meaning of originality, i.e. the destination reflects its genuine culture and keeps its traditions and culture unchanged. The vast majority of Oman's tourism experiences revolve around this notion. In addition, Oman's cultural heritage tourism experiences and products, such as traditional villages, cultural heritage sites and traditional markets (such as Muttrah and Nizwa), simplify this concept as a notion of originality. It was emphasized that Oman is also known for the quality of its travel experiences. Classic examples of such experiences are: adventure experiences, discovery and learning experiences, exploration of new traditions and exotic cultures, immersive experiences, nature and eco-tourism experiences, and bonding experiences with family and friends.
Also the ITB Berlin Convention event "The Role of Gastronomy in the Community - Lessons from Oman" emphasized that food is an important industry that generates income and plays a central role in sustainability in various dimensions and angles, including socio-economic and natural environment. Thus, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and other stakeholders have worked innovatively to promote Omani cuisine. This support has led to increased community empowerment and involvement in the Omani tourism industry. International visitors consider tasting traditional Omani food and having a genuine gastronomic experience to be one of the highlights of their visit to Oman.
A promotional video was presented at an event that left all attendees with the desire to embark on the experience of visiting the Sultanate as soon as possible to experience the distinctive charm that makes this tourist destination unparalleled.
In sum, the Sultanate of Oman is truly a destination worth visiting for its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, warm hospitality, captivating historical sites and genuine gastronomy.
For more information, please visit the website of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of Oman.