Muscat, The Ministry of Tourism launched a large-
scale promotional campaign for the Khareef season in the Governorate
of Dhofar inside the Sultanate and abroad.
This is as part of the ministry’s efforts to promote tourist season in
the governorate and attract more tourists to enjoy Khareef season
which began on June 21 till September 21. This campaign is expected
to strengthen the tourism sector. The promotion continues throughout
the year in all forums, advertisement means and media. It is meant for
all tourist destinations in the country. The Ministry of Tourism wants that
influx of tourists should continue whole year in all governorates of the
Sultanate which have diverse environment. This diversity attracts
tourists throughout the year and makes tourism as major sector of our
national economy.
Salem bin Udai al-Ma’amari, Director General of Promotions at the
Ministry of Tourism, said that the ministry has been promoting the
Khareef season in Dhofar in particular, and the Sultanate in general,
throughout the year through its foreign offices, especially in the GCC
countries. It is participating in international tourism conferences,
exhibitions and marketing events.
He said that these campaigns and participations contributed to the
growth of the number of tourist year after year along with the
development of the sector. The tourism sector in Oman is attracting
increasing number of visitors. He said that the number of hotel
establishments of different levels is constantly increasing.
Al Ma’amari said that the Khareef season in Dhofar was one of the
top priorities in the ministry’s promotional schemes in the GCC
countries. It is meant to attract a larger share of Gulf tourists in the
summer season due to various reasons. The Governorate of Dhofar
has moderate weather and provides an opportunity to enjoy tourism
with the entire family.
As part of the promotional campaigns, a number of means and tools
are used to introduce tourists to the advantages of tourism in the
Sultanate, its cultural, historical or natural attractions are tourism
elements as well as the diversity of the climate even during the
summer, said the Director General of Promotions in the Ministry of
Tourism.
He said that the promotional campaigns, which were carried out
mainly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar
and Bahrain were varied. For this purpose, direct marketing method
through the tour operators were used. The ministry held several rounds
of direct and indirect meetings with tourism companies in the GCC
countries. These meetings were aimed at promoting the Sultanate in
general, and the Khareef season in Dhofar in particular. The ministry
also launched promotional campaigns in the cinema halls of the UAE,
Qatar and Kuwait as one of the most effective marketing options. It
also launched marketing drive on the social media platforms.
He said that the ministry was working on an advertisement
arrangement with a transport company to promote Dhofar and other
tourist sites through some of its buses. This advertisement campaign
will begin in coming weeks.
He added that there were many voluntary promotional initiatives
launched by the Omani youth on the social networking sites and other
such forums. They have launched promotional hashtags for the
Khareef season in Dhofar. They are taking photos of the places of
attractions to introduce the natural tourist elements in the governorate.
He said that the ministry was preparing to launch promotional
campaigns through television channels and radios in neighboring
countries, beginning from July to broadcast promotional content about
Khareef season in Dhofar. A number of popular television channels are
spread the information about the natural and heritage elements of the
governorate. These campaigns will have positive results in attracting
tourists to the Dhofar, as well as it would also introduce the Sultanate
in general.
He said that the tourism office of the ministry in Dubai will launch
marketing campaigns for the Khareef season of Dhofar in the UAE.
Similarly, there would be promotional campaigns in both English and
Arabic languages in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar during
July.
He pointed out that the tourism office in the UAE recently launched
a two month marketing campaign with Musafir.com, the first travel
website of the UAE. It continued between March 19 and May 18. It was
meant for attracting tourists from the Middle East. In addition to this,
the ministry also launched a promotional campaign with AlMusafer
website / Tejwal of Saudi Arabia.
He furthered that a joint marketing campaign was underway for three
months to attract tourists to the Sultanate. It is in cooperation with
Holiday Factory Packages Tours, a large German tourism company
with 500,000 followers on social media. It has a database of its 300,000
active subscribers.
Al-Ma’amari said that the ministry was working to increase tourism
awareness to protect environmental components which are most
important pillars of tourism in Dhofar. The ministry believes that eco-
tourism is one of the most important feature of Dhofar and other
governorates of the Sultanate. The ministry is making huge efforts to
increase awareness about tourism along with importance of
environmental conservation.
He said that the information centers were providing information to
tourists and responding to their inquiries about tourist sites and
services. They are providing them various relevant publications and
maps. These information centers are directly communicating with the
tourists at Salalah Airport and the commercial center at Gardens Mall.
He further said that the Ministry of Tourism was also working through
social media on which it is spreading its awareness messages in both
Arabic and English languages. It is also publishing its information in
local newspapers. It is trying to develop the culture of advance
bookings, confirmation before travelling to Dhofar to ensure that
accommodation is available, check tyres of cars before they head
towards a tourist destination and not to go near wadis and fountains for
safety reasons. It is also educating people to take permission before
clicking photos and respect privacy of people. The help of some
innovative youth and socially influential people are also been sought to
create tourism awareness.
Source: Oman News Agency