Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Travel And Tour World had the good fortune of interviewing Shabib Al’Maamari, at FITUR. He is the Managing Director of VisitOman.om, Oman’s premier online booking platform, which is both digitally native and a trusted resource for local and international travel industry stakeholders. This vibrant and interactive platform provides travel partners with cutting-edge solutions that simplify the processes of listing, booking, and fully exploring Oman’s offerings.
Travel And Tour World: What are the plans for Oman in terms of tourism in 2024?
Shabib Al’Maamari: In 2021, we embarked on a transformative journey to digitalize Oman’s entire travel and tourism supply chain through a cutting-edge B2B platform. Our initiative connected airlines that bring tourists to Oman with accommodations meeting our stringent quality assurance standards, as well as suppliers, tour operators, DMCs, service providers, and F&B establishments. Essentially, we consolidated everything a tourist might need onto a single, sophisticated booking platform.
This innovation has greatly simplified the process for international trade partners and buyers, enabling them to make online bookings effortlessly on behalf of their clients. Recognizing the shift towards digital consumption, we’ve leveraged VisitOman’s digital prowess to meet this growing demand. Furthermore, the ministry initiated a global marketing campaign last year, targeting the GCC countries and Western Europe, which has yielded promising results. As we continue to build on this momentum, we’re gearing up for ITB Berlin 2024, where Oman is set to have a significant presence, showcasing our advancements and commitment to enhancing the travel and tourism landscape.
Travel And Tour World: What is your take on FITUR?
Shabib Al’Maamari: This marks our second appearance at FITUR, with last year being our inaugural participation. Initially, our venture into FITUR was more about dipping our toes in the water, so to speak. Historically, Spain hadn’t been considered a primary market for us. However, we began to notice an influx of promising leads emerging from the Spanish sector, prompting us to take a closer look and participate in FITUR last year. The response we received was nothing short of phenomenal.
We were genuinely taken aback by the warm reception and the level of interest shown in our offerings. Through this experience, it became clear to us that Spain acts as a pivotal gateway to South America—a market we’re increasingly keen on tapping into. Motivated by this revelation and the positive feedback, we’ve decided to make a return to FITUR. Our aim is not just to maintain and strengthen the bonds we’ve formed with our existing partners but also to broaden our horizons by seeking out new partnerships in the years to come. This strategy aligns with our long-term vision to expand our presence and foster meaningful connections across the Spanish and South American markets.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
