“Oman’s presence at this year’s ITB Berlin remains truly historic as this is the first time that a Middle East country has been named as an official partner for this widely attended global event for the tourism industry,” Salem Al Mamari, director general of tourism promotion, Oman Ministry of Tourism, tells TTN. “This proves to be a strategic opportunity for us as we will be able to throw the spotlight on Oman’s tourism potential–facilities, infrastructures and services–sealing its reputation as a highly preferred tourist destination for the region and the rest of the world to visit.”

Being the official partner country means that the expected 160,000 visitors to ITB Berlin, which takes place from March 4 to March 8 this year, will see more of Oman at the show than ever before. “For Oman, the partnership means it will be centre stage, and we are promoting it with the most powerful marketing and public relations instruments at our disposal,” David Ruetz, head of ITB Berlin, tells TTN in an exclusive interview.

“The sultanate will play an important part in organising the opening event on the Tuesday before the show as well as the grand finale on the Sunday. Oman will have information on a wide range of products in a number of locations, including Halls 2.2 and 4.1. The sultanate will present itself as a modern, successful and extremely diverse holiday destination,” adds the head of ITB Berlin.

According to the recently released third annual AHIC Hotel Investment Forecast, Oman has hotel developments worth just over $2 billion in the pipeline, with key new hotel resorts to look out for, including Jebel Sifah, St. Regis Muscat and Jumeirah Muscat Bay.