Oman commits to five-year tourism development plan

The Government of the Sultanate of Oman has publically committed to a five-year strategic tourism development plan, in an effort to assist and realise its original 'Vision 2020' blueprint.

The Vision 2020 scheme was created in 1995; aiming to increase the Arabian state's room numbers to 20,000 by 2015 and welcome 12 million annual visitors by 2020.

The more recent five-year plan was designed to help achieve these ambitious goals, outlining strategies, policies and tactics to be undertaken and accomplished between 2011 and 2015.

Hotel occupancy rose 9.6% during the first eight months of 2013, while the average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose 4.8% and 14.9% respectively.

Oman currently has 62 hotels with 7,636 rooms available, according to STR Global statistics.

The Oman Ministry of Tourism forecasts 3,000 rooms to open in Oman by the end of 2014.

The Omani government has also been investing in infrastructure upgrades, underpinned in the five-year strategic plan, including plans to spend US$3 billion over the next three to four years.

For more information go to www.omantourism.gov.om/

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