After recording a 114 pc growth in the number of tourists visiting from India in first five months of 2023, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of Gulf Sultanate of Oman has returned to India with a four-city roadshow.

After receiving over 3,52,398 tourists from India in 2022, the Gulf Sultanate of Oman registered a 114 pc growth in number of visitors from India in January to May, 2023, as compared to previous year, with 2,34,509 visitors from India landing in the country.

To keep momentum growing further, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman is back in India, leading a large travel trade delegation on a four-city roadshow, which began in New Delhi on Monday.

“India is a very big market and we want to have a very strong relationship with everyone in the country. It is a very big market and hence such a platform like a multi-city roadshow helps us go as wide as possible. We have seen a great growth in India. Compared to last year, upto May end in this year, we have seen a growth of 114 pc in number of travellers from India to Oman. These are very optimistic numbers and of course the roadshow helps us get these numbers, but we also undertake other activities, notably marketing activities in India, which have helped us in boosting the traffic from India,’’ Asma Al Hajri, Deputy DG of Tourism Promotions, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, tells India Outbound.

Al Hajri says that the response from the Indian market has been very encouraging. “The partners have been showing so much interest and their keenness on the destination has really been booming. We had set a target of 100 participants here at this roadshow and there are definitely many more than that present today. So, definitely a very high level of interest from the Indian industry itself,’’ Al Hajri adds.

She says that India is the second largest source market for Oman, just after the United Kingdom.

In terms of segment of tourism from India that Oman is best suited for, Al Hajry says that Oman has a rich diversity of offers as a destination to cater to various segments. “Oman is ideal for a variety of tourism segments, from FIT and MICE to destination weddings,’’ Al Hajri says.

Besides the Ministry officials, among the participants from Oman at the roadshow were leading hotels, DMCs and other tourism stakeholders of Oman. Also present are the country’s two airlines, Oman Air, the national carrier and Salam Air, the first low-cost carrier in the region. Besides New Delhi, Oman will hold roadshows in Jaipur, Mumbai and Kolkata.

At the roadshow, Oman Tourism showcased an array of tourist experiences, including off-road adventures, visits to historic forts and castles, and the opportunity to immerse oneself in the authentic Omani village life.

The destination presentation highlighted the Monsoon season in Dhofar, where the entire city turns lush green, creating a mesmerising sight. Among the many attractions, Muscat’s oldest Muttrah fort, dating back to the 16th century, stood as a testament to Oman’s deep-rooted heritage. Moreover, the country boasts five UNESCO World Heritage sites, each holding invaluable cultural and historical significance, says the tourism board.