Oman to lead Middle East in tourism growth
The Sultanate of Oman is expected to lead the Middle East in terms of growth in the tourism industry and to post one of the strongest growth rates worldwide in the sector in 2014, according to a report released recently by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
In its annual Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2014 report, WTTC said that the direct contribution of the tourism industry to Oman's GDP in 2013 was RO982.8 million (US$2.4 billion - 3% of GDP) and this is forecast to rise by 10.2% to RO1.08 billion (US$2.8 billion) in 2014.
The WTTC report stated “this primarily reflects the economic activity generated by industries such as hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passenger transportation services - excluding commuter services.
“But it also includes, for example, the activities of the restaurant and leisure industries directly supported by tourists in Oman.”
The average growth in the direct contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in the Middle East region is forecast at 5.5%, while the world average growth is expected to be 4.3% in 2014.
WTTC, the authority on world travel and tourism, said that the direct contribution of travel and tourism to Oman's GDP is expected to grow by 5.4% per annum to RO1.83bn (US$4.7 billion - 3.9% of GDP) by 2024.
The Council said that the total contribution of tourism to Oman's GDP is twice as large as its direct contribution and is expected to grow by 9.4% from 2013 to 2014.
According to WTTC, the tourism industry in Oman supported 37,000 jobs directly in 2013 and this is forecasted to grow by 11.4% in 2014 to 41,000 jobs, again among the strongest growth worldwide and the fastest growth in the Middle East region.
The WTTC report added “this includes employment by hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passenger transportation services. It also includes, for example, the activities of the restaurant and leisure industries directly supported by tourists. By 2024, in Oman, travel and tourism will account for 60,000 jobs directly, an increase of 3.9% per annum over the next ten years.”
Between 2012-2013 the number of Australian travellers to Oman increased by 33%.
Click here to visit the Tourism Oman website.
7th April 2014 - OMAN INVESTIGATES DEVELOPMENT OF THEME PARKS AND WATERPARKS
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