Oman targets 12 million visitors
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The Oman Ministry of Tourism has set its sights on attracting 12 million visitors by the year 2020.
The ministry’s vision follows on from a strong 2008 visitor arrival performance which saw three million-plus international travellers enter the Sultanate. Based on forward projections, the ministry is confident the tourism sector will become one of the biggest contributors to Oman’s GDP within the next 11 years - an aspiration which is heavily supported by both the Oman government and private sector, which have invested over US$10 billion in several major tourism projects across the country.
Sultanate of Oman Tourism Director Australia/New Zealand, Mona Tannous, said one of the principle projects now underway was a major upgrade and expansion of Muscat International Airport.
The airport last year handled more than 3.2 million international visitor arrivals. But future plans include a new terminal building, 32 air bridges and an additional runway, while the existing runway will be upgraded to handle the Airbus A380.
In addition to the airport development, several massive tourism projects are now well underway most of which will be completed within the next five years. These include 10 integrated resort developments plus a 6,000-seat Convention Centre being built on a 1.6 million hectare site close to Muscat International Airport.
Work is also nearing completion on the venue for next year’s Asian Beach Games. Following the event the games complex is intended to be used as a major resort complex.
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