Future of Tourism in Oman - Essay Example

? Future of tourism in Oman Introduction Tourism industry in Oman has rapidly growing and developing and the government of the country makes large investments in the development of this field. There is a clear intention of Oman’s government to draw the following parallels between enrichment of the country by means of tourism. Oman's National Economy is focused on investments of 12mn by 2020 (Lancaster, 2011). There is a clear intention of the government to make a large contribution in GDP of the country. Airports and infrastructure of the country are assisted through investments and developments of Oman’s tourism industry. There are many difficulties in the development of this industry, because the locals do not want to exceed the limits of a local tourism promotion and thus they are prevented from a global expansion. Tourism in Oman Oman has many different privileges. First of all, this country makes large investments in ecotourism and first class tourism and tourism in this country can be interested for both Western and Eastern tourists. Oman can assure tourists of the absence of corruption and there are many perspectives for business development in this country. Oman is opening its doors for tourists… The spectators are so much attracted by the new territories and numerous sightseeing that the pleasure of exploring this country transfers the borders of traditional tourism. There is no doubt that Arab hospitality is legendary. People from those countries are full of hospitality and there is no doubt that the Westerners will be greatly impressed by a large number of attractions in this country. There are two million inhabitants in Oman and this is an independent state of the Arab world. Tourists are mainly attracted by “vast coastline, over a thousand miles long, stretching from the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf to the Yemeni border in the south” (The Seven Stars of the Gulf; Oman: Traditional Terraced Village Scubadiving off the Coast of Fujairah, 2009). Moreover, there are deep historic roots in this country. The Oman museum in Muscat is rather attractive for tourists and there is no doubt that people in this country are proud of their legendary heroes, such as Sindbad the Sailor, for example. There is an evident harmony between the ancient port of Muscat and modernization of this port nowadays. A feeling of cleanness and safety is everywhere. There are different perceptions of the northern and the southern frontiers of Oman. Thus, tourist from different countries can find the places to live and to visit with respect to their own interests (Martin, 2005). Nevertheless, it should be noted that the most explored part of Oman, which is favorable for tourists is Salalah. Tourist agencies are attracting new tourists speculating on the following things: “waters are inviting, the sand the softest and silkiest, and the birdlife extraordinary, a visitor's guide cautions you against wandering away "while wearing a sea dress" (Beirman, 2003). Oman provides tourists with different opportunities of having rest. There is an essential technological impact exerted on Oman and the Western tourists can exert a serious negative impact on cultural, moral and social values in Oman (Richards, 1999). On the one hand, in the modern global world such issues as traditional clothes or color of hair can be different even among Omani people. In their hearts and souls these people are religious and they do not have any intention to change their religion or culture. There are many difficulties for Oman and its ability to adapt social and cultural changes with respect to the Western traditions and customs. With this respect, it can be claimed that countries around the world are interested in promotion and support of their interests. In case the residents of one country want to get acquainted with the values of people and nations from another country, there is no doubt that the former should be tolerant to another country and preserve historic uniqueness and dignity of another nation. There is a high cultural divide in Oman and people in this country would suffer from an intentional intrusion of foreigners in their lands (Mcquillan, 2001). There is no doubt that it is better to regulate these possible conflicts between the representatives of different nations. Oman experiences a current economic and social development in the global context. The international tourism is one of the most important contributing spheres in the development of the country. At the same time, it is the largest social, economic and moral pressure exerted on foreigners. Tourism market in Oman should be correlated with economic and social concerns of the country’s residents. Therefore, in order to discuss the future of tourism in Oman, it is appropriate to take into account different models and techniques of forecasting. Tourists’ arrivals can be considered in terms of: pure time-series, econometric and mixed models (Curtiss, 1995). The first type of modeling is based on a pure assumption of the way tourists arrivals were defined in the past. The future events can be developed with respect to past-time tendencies. Econometric models are based on definition of the cause of arrival of tourists and relation of it to such indices as flow volume and price, and a tourist’s ability to afford the travel (O'Reilly, 1998). Consequently, it is possible to forecast future of tourism in Oman on the basis of the mixed model. In accordance with these forecasts, there is an evident growth of a number of tourists coming to Oman (Sinclair, Stabler, 1997). Table 1. Mixed Model Tourists Forecast Year Forecast International Foreign (non GCC) AAGR (%) 2006 Actual 428,534 2007 Actual 515,808 2008 605,752 17.44 2009 724,832 19.66 2010 835,656 15.29 2011 928,644 11.13 2012 1,158,412 24.74 2013 1,352,644 16.77 2014 1,526,270 12.84 2015 1,716,210 12.44 2016 1,886,388 9.92 Therefore, it is evident that in 4 years an evident growth of a number of tourists in Oman is coming. Nevertheless, there is a need to make serious investments in the tourism field’s development and there is no doubt that a growing economic size of Oman depends on tourism (Pelletreau, Page, Kechichian, Geyer, Eickelman, Collins, 1996). Nevertheless, local people can be irritated, because their national interests and values can be in danger. Therefore, in terms of international tourism development it is necessary to develop certain regulations and strategies, which are directed on improvement of local people’s rights protection. Moreover, territories and cultural heritage of the country should be secured. It is evident that people in Oman realize the necessity of tourism development and the local authorities are developing special policies for promotion of tourism in Oman. In accordance with the following figure, it is evident that it is hard to sustain a large number of tourists during all months. Figure 1 Seasonal Foreign International Tourist Arrivals - 2007 Therefore, tourists are interested in Oman as a place for tourism in those months, when the climate is friendly. People cannot change the weather, but they can attract attention of tourists by development of different attracting policies, such as ethnic and national handicrafts, showing traditions and customs for tourists et cetera (An Oasis in the Desert; Oman Beats Dubai for Its History and Air of Mystery, 2009). Oman is distinguished by a current development of market segment and searching for the means of attraction of tourists. The main emphasis for tourists is made on “archaeology, conservation, natural beauty and suitable climate” (An Oasis in the Desert; Oman Beats Dubai for Its History and Air of Mystery, 2009). Consequently, in order to attract tourists from all over the world, people from Oman should make an emphasis on potentially attractive national peculiarities, which can enchant tourists. There is no doubt that foreigners are interested in delving into the unique and virgin nature of Oman, be impressed by local handicraft and the absence of social turmoil in the country, which is full of opportunities and attractive places. In accordance with O’Reilly (1998): “The sultanate is also interested in promoting its tourism industry, expanding its industrial base, building (as did Dubai) a "state-of-the-art container port facility capable of handling the largest container vessels, "intensifying its search for joint ventures in Bangladesh, Taiwan, Pakistan and elsewhere, and promoting itself as a haven for foreign direct investment” (O’Reilly 1998, p. 73). Therefore, market and investment segment in Oman is on the road of its development and the local government should be able to foster this process. Conclusion Therefore, Oman has a great potential for tourism development. In spite of the fact that the local sectors are better aware of local culture and tourism impacts, they cannot be much concerned about future development and increase of tourism. Generally speaking, the growth of tourism depends on essential investments, readiness of local people and infrastructure for location and entertaining of tourists. The world is full of opportunities and the contemporaries are really interested in witnessing peculiarities of different countries. The international foreign market place is being developed at a full pace and tourism in Oman is open for new ways of development. Thus, it is necessary for Oman to shift the accents of a local tourism and exceed the limits, striving for global tourists’ attraction. References AN OASIS IN THE DESERT; Oman Beats Dubai for Its History and Air of Mystery, 2009. Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland), June 14, p. 17. The Seven Stars of the Gulf; Oman: Traditional Terraced Village Scubadiving off the Coast of Fujairah, 2009. The Daily Mail (London, England), January 15, p. 12. Beirman, D., 2003. Restoring Tourism Destinations in Crisis : A Strategic Marketing Approach. Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin. Curtiss, R. H., 1995. Oman: Travel. The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, August, pp. 54+. Richards, H., 1999. Revisiting "unknown Oman": Once Inaccessible Oman Has Become Winter Vacation Choice for Europeans. The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, March 31, pp. 67+. Lancaster, P., 2011. Oman Building on Firm Foundations: The Sultanate of Oman Was Able to Weather the Worst Effects of the Global Downturn and Now with an Ambitious Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), Sets the Seal on a Programme of Determined Growth and Development. The Middle East, April, pp. 29+. Martin, J., 2005. New Era of Railways: From Morocco to Oman, Arab Governments Are Preparing to Invest Billions of Dollars in a New Generation of Rail and Lightrail Systems, Which Could Have Massive Returns for Trade and Tourism in the Region. All aboard? Not Quite Yet. The Middle East, April, pp. 50+. Mcquillan, D,. 2001. The Treasures of Oman - with the Help of a Visionary Sultan the Doors of Tourism Are Slowly Opening in Oman, but Leave Your Bikinis at Home. World and I, June, p. 114. O'Reilly, Marc J., 1998. Omanibalancing: Oman Confronts an Uncertain Future. The Middle East Journal 52:70+. Pelletreau, Robert H., John Page, Joseph A. Kechichian, Georgie Anne Geyer, Christine Eickelman, and Michael Collins Dunn, 1996. Symposium: Contemporary Oman and U.S.-Oman Relations. Middle East Policy 4:1-29. Sinclair, M. Thea, and Mike Stabler, 1997. The Economics of Tourism. London: Routledge. Read More