Rajha highlights role of pvt sector in tourism development

SALALAH — Dr Rajha bint Abdulameer bin Ali, Tourism Minister, met at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) Salalah branch yesterday with businessmen, businesswomen and investors in the tourism sector in the Dhofar Governorate in the presence of Khalil bin Abdullah al Khunji, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI). Dr Rajha underlined the importance of direct meetings as they contribute to the growth of the tourism sector to serve the development of tourism in the future. She also highlighted the leading role of the private sector in Dhofar and the Sultanate being a strategic partner of the government in promoting tourism. She added that the Sultanate is pursuing strategies and policies for tourism development which are subjected to revision and updating regularly taking into consideration all latest domestic, regional and international changes. She pointed to the policies pursued in the Seventh Five-Year Development Plan 2006/2010 including the comprehensive tourism promotion plan in the Sultanate, in global markets, diversifying tourism product, magnifying the private sector’s role, attracting local and foreign investment capitals, benefits for the society from the tourism sector, abiding by sustainable tourism development principles, its economic, social, cultural and environmental dimensions. The Tourism Ministry is currently co-ordinating with the authorities concerned to issue the new tourism law, she added. The ministry is taking efforts to promote domestic tourism through developing a number of tourism attractions to receive tourists. These sites included wadis and attractions in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, Wilayat of Salalah, a number of old villages and mountainous tracks. Abdullah bin Hussain al Mashhoor Ba’omar, Head of Tourism and Real Estate Investment Committee at OCCI’s Salalah branch presented the plans of the OCCI Salalah branch on requirements for developing tourism sector and its role in the economic development, in terms of completing the tourism development infrastructure in the Dhofar Governorate and promoting tourism in Dhofar.