Undoubtedly, many of us have been tourists exploring different destinations and cultures around the world. Though, defining what tourism actually can be difficult at some point. However, tourism could simply signify the activities of people travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for different reasons. Having leisure, business or other purposes are just to name a few motives for them to travel.
In other words, tourism might stand as a social, cultural and economic phenomenon, involving people moving from a country to another or to a place within their home country. As tourism is travelling for either a pleasure or business, it also involves the practice of touring, business of attracting, accommodating and entertaining tourists, as well as the business of operating tours.
Likewise, tourism reflects the natural resources, local attractions, facilities and a variety of services that generate unique experiences for each visitor. Tourism’s significance is marked as being one of the most important economic activities for countries for it feeds and boosts other types of local industries. In many countries worldwide, tourism is regarded one of the main generators of economic earnings.
According to data collected by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), one among every 11 employees works in any of tourism-related sectors. In addition, tourism influences growth in infrastructure, with the opening of hotels, restaurants, shops and backing public transport and individuals’ businesses. Tourism also raises the profile of visited places in general, which translates into improvement in infrastructure, roads, health and education for people living in those destinations.
Moreover, good travel experiences help people become interested in knowing and experiencing what a country can offer them. Therefore, the support of locals is very essential as well to promote interesting places and share positive impressions and deliver memorable experiences. On the other hand, travelling is a great source of personal growth, learning and having fun.
Accordingly, visiting different destinations and understanding about other nations’ cultures, traditions and people changes one’s perception to have a broader vision of what other parts of the world are distinguished with. Travelling also inspires people to admire every nation they visit and possibly urges others to explore them. This is the case with those travelling overseas.
On the other hand, many prefer to boost domestic tourism by visiting in-country tourist destinations and enjoy local attractions. On the local front, many locals prefer to spend their time, especially during summer break, within the country. They enjoy their holiday visiting various tourist landmarks and places in different parts of Oman. Their interest serves promoting and investing more in internal tourism rather than travelling abroad. As well, this offers them an opportunity to discover new tourist destinations and thriving the national economy.
Consequently, in a bid to promote domestic tourism, local and foreign tourists alike look for remarkable and competitive attractions in the country. Introducing diverse offerings will certainly serve the national and personal interests when travelling and touring around a destination. For instance, experiencing the local food tops the interests of many tourists. Locally, you rarely find an authentic Omani cuisine served in either public places, malls or tourist destinations. Other cultural and social aspects are not effeminately promoted to tourists.
This approach urges countries, including the Sultanate of Oman, to invest more in boosting the internal tourism. As well, it brings different lessons for the government and private sectors to increase their investments in tourist benchmarks, facilities, sightseeing and services. Moreover, this marks a call on all authorities and parties concerned with tourism sector to re-explore the investment opportunities in tourism sector.
Tourism is a dynamic and competitive industry that requires the ability to adapt constantly to customers and tourists’ changing needs and desires. The customer’s satisfaction and enjoyment are particularly the major focus of tourism businesses. Thus, it is time now to revisit the plans and strategy of tourism sector in Oman and bring unique tourism experiences.
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