Oman's business tourism sector is looking for further growth after groundbreaking on a new $1 billion Conference and Exhibition Center in Muscat. The facility — set to become the largest meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition (MICE) venue in the country with scheduled completion in 2014 — aims to transform Oman into a key destination for major business events in the region. “The upcoming Muscat center embodies Oman's thriving tourism sector, which is expected to contribute $1.93 billion or around three percent of total GDP in 2011. The leisure segment is already booming as reflected by the 10 percent average annual growth in hotel occupancies,” the ministry of tourism said in a press statement. Oman has already approved the spending of around $8 billion on tourism-related property developments across the country. The ministry of tourism aims to eventually draw in 12 million visitors a year by 2020 to make the tourism industry one of the country's largest income generators and a vital component of the ‘Visions for Oman's Economy: Oman 2020′ development plan. “The development of the convention center in Muscat forms part of our efforts to establish Oman as an all-around business, leisure and lifestyle destination. “Travelers from all over the world are already attracted to our natural beauty, fine weather, special events and excellent transport infrastructure. By building up our MICE offerings we grow closer to tourism targets that we have specifically aligned under the Oman 2020 economic vision. “The media has been an important ally in the realization of our goals, we appreciate the full support that they have been giving throughout our campaigns,” said Salem al Maamari, Director-General of Tourism Promotions, Ministry of Tourism. Among the Ministry of Tourism's latest initiatives to gain support for its programs is a media familiarization trip to point out the tourist attractions in Muscat and Salalah. Running from June 25 to 29, 2011, the tour is part of the Ministry's strategy of involving the media and other key partners in the industry's sustained growth. Oman welcomed around 1.6 million tourists in 2010 and expects to raise the figure this year mainly through visits from neighboring GCC states, India and Russia. The construction of three new airports and a growing sea cruise trade that brought in more than 120 cruise ships and 300,000 passengers in the 2010-11 season will further advance Oman's tourism plans. BM
