
Oman will host events on a large scale in the future
A senior official of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism said that in the coming years, the Sultanate of Oman will host large-scale events like those in other countries.
Speaking to the Observer at the Arabian Travel Market, Khalid bin Zadjali, director of the Oman Convention Bureau, said, "There is no specific timeline, but we certainly have such plans and are working on meetings and conferences that can bring thousands of people to the country. We have nice airports, hotels, and road infrastructure, among other things.
Speaking about the Arabian Travel Market, he said it is one of the top three events around the world, and gives us an important platform and opportunities to meet our counterparts from various source markets. We are also focusing on promoting Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) in the Sultanate of Oman. We see a growth in the MICE market are working with the hoteliers, agents, including those who come for these events."
He added, "We have a strong partnership with Marriott Hotels, and we launched an incentive program. So any groups through these hotels come to the Oman Convention Bureau. We are also working on the Saudi Market."There has been a growth of around 7 to 8% in the MICE market. We also support and promote Salalah as a second destination after Muscat. Salalah is the only city in the Gulf area where one can visit year-round."Some events were conducted last year in September, which can be held even in October.
Jabal Akhdar has iconic selling points for the MICE, and there are some packages as incentives. It is a unique destination and different from beach properties.
Oman is also targeting more than 140 countries that participate in these events.
On offering connectivity to visitors, "He said Oman Air has been covering major cities such as India, which is one of the strong source markets, besides. flying to the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, and now Amsterdam."
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Observer
2 days ago
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1.5 million pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat in Haj apex
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A Muslim pilgrim prays at Jabal Al Rahmah, also known as Mount Arafat, during the annual Haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca on Thursday. — Reuters Others arrived en masse in the sprawling tent city of Mina on Mecca's outskirts, where they will stay overnight before the Haj 's high-point Thursday — prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final sermon. "You feel like you're not in this world," Khitam, a 63-year-old pilgrim, said by phone, saying that "before Haj, I used to watch the Grand Mosque on TV all day." Before entering Mecca, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and behaviour. Men don a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasises unity among believers, regardless of their social status or nationality. Women, in turn, wear loose dresses exposing just their faces and hands. 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Artificial intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds. "The scene in Mina this year was completely different. We noticed that most pilgrims kept to their... tents instead of exposing themselves to the sun," Ibrahim bin Saleh al Mazni, from the Al Furqan group for Haj tours, said from Mina. "This reflects the success of the awareness campaign" of authorities he added, which have been striving to dissuade pilgrims from staying in the sun — with many faithful believing hardship was essential to Haj. Earlier this week, Saudi authorities called on pilgrims to stay inside their tents between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm on Thursday during the Haj's climax at Mount Arafat, when the desert sun is at its harshest. A Muslim pilgrim makes dua atop Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Al Rahma or Mount of Mercy, during the climax of the Haj pilgrimage. — AFP There, pilgrims assemble on the high hill and its surrounding plain for hours of prayer and Koran recital, staying there until the evening. There is little to no shade on Mount Arafat, leaving pilgrims directly exposed to the blistering desert sun for hours. Authorities said most of the deaths last year were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. This year, they have cracked down on the unregistered, using frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. A billboard reading "No Haj without permit" greeted pilgrims as they arrived in Mecca. Haj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis and distributed to individuals by lottery. 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Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
Saudi hosts urge pilgrims to stay indoors during Haj high point
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Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Million-plus pilgrims begin haj under blazing sun
More than a million pilgrims joined Islam's most important rite under a beating sun on Wednesday, as the Haj kicked off with the Saudi hosts scrambling to avoid last year's 1,000-plus deaths in sweltering heat. With temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius, robed pilgrims slowly circled the Kaaba — the black cube at the heart of Mecca's Grand Mosque which is Islam's holiest site. State media reported that others had begun arriving in the sprawling tent city of Mina on Mecca's outskirts where they will stay overnight before the Haj's high-point on Thursday — on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is believed to have delivered his final sermon. About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam. Authorities have ratcheted up heat protection measures such as extra shade to avoid a repeat of last year, when 1,301 people died as temperatures hit 51.8C. On Wednesday, pilgrims performed the 'Tawaf' — walking seven times around the Kaaba. Before entering Mecca, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called 'Ihram', which requires special dress and behaviour. Men don a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasises unity among believers, regardless of their social status or nationality. Women, in turn, wear loose dresses, also white, exposing just their faces and hands. Pilgrims arriving on buses had begun already trickling into Mina on Tuesday afternoon, greeted by staff offering them coffee and dates. 'I am so happy, it's such an amazing feeling,' said Reem al Shogre, a 35-year-old Saudi performing the pilgrimage for the first time. Artificial intelligence Following last year's lethal heatwave, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials to improve protection. Shaded areas have been enlarged by 50,000 square metres, thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Hajj Minister Tawfiq al Rabiah said last week. Artificial intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds. Authorities said most of the deaths last year were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. This year, they have cracked down on the unregistered, using frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. Haj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis and distributed to individuals. But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the Haj without a permit, even though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Large crowds at the Haj have proved hazardous in the past, most notably in 2015 when a stampede during the 'stoning the devil' ritual in Mina killed up to 2,300 people in the deadliest haj disaster. — AFP