Ashraf AboArafe
The Sultanate of Oman has made remarkable progress in the index of the best global destination for travelers in the Middle East, for the first quarter of this year 2023, as it advanced 4 positions in the index of the 50 best global destinations for travelers in the Middle East, according to a recent report issued by the famous search engine for travel and airline reservations “Wego”. . According to the report, the Sultanate of Oman ranked 12th in the recent index for travelers in the Middle East among the top 50 global destinations, compared to 16th place in the index for the fourth quarter of last year 2022.
The report pointed out that the Sultanate of Oman was the most advanced in the ranking among the top 20 top destinations in the ranking. The classification of destinations was based on an analysis of flight data and hotel occupancy rates for Wego users who book tens of millions of trips.
The report said that the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council resorted to adopting flexible policies for travel activities and social interaction during the period of the Covid-19 crisis and operated short and direct trips; This helped the Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and other Gulf countries advance, and most destinations in the Middle East region maintained their rankings during the second quarter of this year.
Of great importance to the airport sector
On the other hand, Oman Airports is participating in the Arabian Travel Market 2023 in the Emirate of Dubai, within the pavilion of the Sultanate of Oman represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. Ayman bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Hosani, CEO of Oman Airports, said: The participation of Oman Airports stems from the necessity of integration with all national efforts to promote the Sultanate of Oman and highlight the role of Omani airports, “Muscat International Airport, Salalah Airport, Sohar Airport and Duqm Airport”, and their development and service levels. provided via. Where the Sultanate of Oman attaches great importance to the airports sector, which is the gateway for visitors and tourists to the Sultanate of Oman.
Al Hosani explained that he is seeking, through participation in the Arabian Travel Exhibition, to hold a series of meetings with officials of international airlines and specialized tourism institutions to attract companies to operate their flights to Oman airports and provide everything that would increase the number of flights, whether for existing partners or companies that intend to launch their flights through scheduled flights. Or charter trips during the tourist seasons, whether summer or winter.
Al Hosani pointed out that during the summer season, Salalah Airport witnesses an increase in the number of flights that operate direct flights between the Gulf capitals and the Dhofar Governorate, with the aim of enjoying the autumn season, when the tourist movement is active, which requires an increase in flights from the Gulf countries, and this is in line with the policy of “Oman Airports” to provide All the facilities for the Gulf airlines, as well as in the winter season, we witness an increase in the number of charter flights coming from European countries, whether to Muscat International Airport or Salalah Airport.
Al Hosani stated that during the next phase, new flights will be launched for Omani local airlines, whether Oman Air or Salam Air, with the start of the summer season, to several stations in Central Asian countries and several destinations. He stressed the readiness of Oman Airports to keep pace with the expected growth during the summer season, as the travel season is very active to and from the Sultanate of Oman.
