The tourism industry is bouncing back to pre-pandemic figures driven by strong demand in Europe and the re-opening of markets in Asia and the Pacific, while the Middle East continues to grow, states the UN Tourism Report.
Just reflect on yourself- how many times you made travel plans?
According to the latest World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, around 790 million tourists travelled internationally in the first seven months of 2024. The international arrivals in the Middle East climbed 26 per cent above 2019 levels, pointed out the report.
“Oman’s focus on eco-tourism and cultural tourism, preserving its natural beauty and heritage, has appealed to those seeking more sustainable and immersive travel experiences. The recent developments in luxury resorts and adventure tourism are also drawing a new segment of travellers,” wrote Travel and Tour World.
Oman’s tourism sector has been attracting investments, and the strategy has been about positioning the country as a premier destination for both business and leisure travellers, travel industry experts have pointed out.
According to me, the people of Oman are an integral part of the tourism industry. There is something about the cultural exchange that happens when people interact. And that magic happens in Oman, which is the result of the inherent element of hospitality as part of the culture.
For Oman, nature has been one of its major assets. The monsoon-based tourism season has just ended in Dhofar, but the winter season titled Qitaf Musandam is to begin in November and activities will continue till April, next year.
Are these indicators point that tourism is the area to invest at present?
However, globally, there are challenges for the tourists.
Who are the tourists?
You, me, and others across the globe wondering where to travel next?
The UN Panel of Tourism Experts pointed to inflation in global travel and tourism, namely high transport and accommodation prices, as the main challenges the tourism sector is currently facing. The other drawbacks have been, according to the report, shortage of staff, global economic situation, and weather conditions.
In 2024, the global travel and tourism sector demonstrated significant resilience, nearly reaching pre-pandemic performance, with international tourism recovering to 96 per cent of its 2019 levels within the first seven months.
According to Travel and Tourism World, four of the advantages are enhanced air connectivity, investment in infrastructure, digital transformation that has resulted in electronic visas, and cultural festivals and international events.
The UN Tourism Confidence Index shows positive expectations for the last part of the year, at 120 points for September-December 2024, though below the prospects for May-August, which stood at 130 (on a scale of 0 to 200, where 100 reflects equal expected performance).
“A total of 67 out of 120 destinations around the world had recovered 2019 arrival numbers in the first half of 2024, based on countries reporting monthly or quarterly data,” stated the UN Report.
Now it would be interesting to know if we travel seeking to repeat a likable experience or is it a search for new places to be explored.
Maybe more people would travel when air fares could come down. The distance between countries is becoming less just because people are travelling to at least two countries when they plan their holidays. Families that include grandparents as well as uncles and aunts are becoming the norm in Oman, creating wonderful memories for the young travellers and nostalgia for the grownups. This means destinations have to be chosen that are suitable for all age groups.
A growing trend has been women choosing to travel together. This has become specialised tour packages as well that required a lot of planning with intricate details. These tours are tailor-made keeping in mind the likes and dislikes.
As we approach the tourism season in Oman, tour operators must be gearing into action. The wedding bells are ringing too. The marriage season is approaching, and with India's love for destination weddings, I heard that Oman is once again a destination in demand for weddings where the families of the bride and groom with friends check in booking the whole hotel.
Enjoy the experience of Oman.
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