Latest news with #AlMahrouqi
Observer
11-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman least polluted country in Arab world
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman has been ranked first in the Arab world and 22nd globally in the Global Environmental Pollution Index for 2025. This advanced ranking improves the Sultanate of Oman's position in global environmental indicators and makes it a model for adopting green policies. It also opens new horizons for international cooperation and attracts sustainable investments, particularly from global companies seeking environmentally safe countries for economic activities. Economic-wise, the ranking boosts the ecotourism sector which is witnessing increasing global interest. In addition, it contributes to attracting international institutions and companies that prioritise sustainability thus enhancing the green economy and strengthening the foundations of sustainable development in the Sultanate of Oman. Oman least polluted country in Arab world Marwa bint Hamad al Mahrouqiyah, spokesperson for the Environment Authority (EA), said that this achievement is the output of effective measures and environmental efforts and appropriate legislation adopted by the Sultanate of Oman which have contributed to achieving sustainability goals and enhancing environmental awareness at the local and regional levels. Al Mahrouqi emphasised that continuous environmental monitoring is a fundamental pillar to ensure compliance with national environmental standards. The EA conducts periodic inspections in the industrial, construction and commercial sectors to ensure their compliance with the environmental regulations. Oman least polluted country in Arab world The Environment Authority embraces the latest technologies in its monitoring efforts, such as smart sensors and drones, to measure emissions and analyse air quality data. Environmental monitoring stations are also spread across the Sultanate of Oman providing real-time data that contributes to making quick and accurate decisions. Procedures adopted by the EA include imposing fines or halting polluting activities in addition to continuous monitoring of major facilities to ensure full compliance with environmental safety standards, she said.
The National
02-05-2025
- Business
- The National
ATM 2025: Oman seeks to attract $10bn more in tourism FDI to diversify economy, minister says
Oman aims to attract an additional $10 billion in foreign investments to projects in the sultanate's tourism sector as it looks to further diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons, its tourism minister has said. The country has already received private sector investments worth $10 billion since the end of the pandemic to develop new hotels and integrated tourism complexes (ITCs), which will be inaugurated in 2025. Muscat is currently in talks with investors to raise a similar amount for spending over the next three to four years into hospitality projects, Salim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, told The National on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. "Maybe its premature now, but there's a possibility we can match the same figure given the projects that have been negotiated or approved," he said. "We are looking to continue attracting foreign investment coming from the region, Russia is another potential [source of FDI] and we're also talking with well-established developers from Egypt," Mr Al Mahrouqi said. The Sultanate is developing tourist attractions including Unesco World Heritage sites, new museums, a botanical garden that will open its doors to the public by the end of the year, and a maritime museum in the city of Sur to highlight the country's rich seafaring history. Oman is seeking to develop its tourism sector as part of its Vision 2040 to diversify its economy and cut reliance on oil revenue. Oman, a smaller crude oil producer compared with its Gulf neighbours, is more sensitive to oil price swings and was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. But the country has bounced back strongly, supported by sharp expansion of its tourism sector. In 2024, Oman recorded 15 million domestic tourists and four million international visitors, exceeding the record levels of 2019. The UAE, the Arab world's second-largest economy, as well as India, Germany and other western European countries were the main tourist source markets for the sultanate. Oman expects to exceed that number of international tourists this year, potentially reaching 4.5 million by the end of 2025, the minister said. To hit the 2025 forecast, the country will concentrate on new source markets such as Russia, China and South Asia, with plans to double its marketing budget in these areas. "We have a large number of impressive campaigns in Moscow, Beijing, Singapore and others, where we are focusing more on what distinguishes us from the rest of the region," he said, pointing to Oman's heritage, culture, nature and adventure travel offerings. Its focus will be on high-spending and eco-conscious travellers to ensure sustainable growth. "We are looking at those potential markets with meaningful financial impact," he said. "Having said that, we are very conscious of maintaining a balance between quantity and quality: the impact on natural resources and infrastructure has to be balanced with the numbers." Sustainability and in-country value are important to ensure that the benefits of tourism are "spread across the community", without putting a strain on the environment, he added. Oman's tourism sector is forecast to contribute 3 per cent of its total gross domestic product (GDP) this year, up from 2.7 per cent in 2024, the minister said. The country is looking into additional options to boost air links with other countries to carry more tourists, amid a continuing restructuring at its national carrier Oman Air. "We are looking for new venues," the minister said, citing additional charter flights and partnerships with airlines in the Gulf. Developing non-oil sectors such as tourism and aviation is also being done with the aim of creating more jobs for Omanis. The potential for Omanis in tourism jobs is "huge", with more nationals being enrolled in training programmes. "We'd like to see more Omanis at general manager levels running many hotels and we'd like to see more Omanis running the sector – they're already there," he said. About 20,000 Omanis are employed in the tourism sector, with an aim of incrementally adding between 4,000 to 6,000 tourism jobs for nationals every year, he added. The current population of Oman is about 5.4 million, according to Worldometer data.
Mint
30-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
Muscat International Book Fair promotes cultural diversity, moves beyond AI hype
Muscat, Apr 30 (PTI) The 29th Muscat International Book Fair, opened at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, has moved away from last year's global focus on artificial intelligence to celebrate cultural diversity as a pathway to unity. 'Last year, AI was the dominant topic, but this year, Oman is adopting a more practical approach,' Sheikha Al Mahrouqi, Acting Director General of International Media at Oman's Ministry of Information, told PTI Videos. 'Through this Book Fair, we are conveying a vital message: embrace our differences and accept each other as we are,' she said. Themed 'Cultural Diversity Enriches Our Civilisation', the fair, which started on April 23 and will conclude on May 3, seeks to promote peace and unity through literature and cultural exchange. 'In a world needing unity, we must use culture, particularly book fairs, as a tool to promote peace and coexistence across ideologies, religions, and backgrounds,' Al Mahrouqi stressed. A major literary event in the region, the fair hosts 674 publishing houses from 35 countries, displaying 681,041 titles, including 467,413 Arabic books, 213,610 foreign books, and 27,464 Omani works. It also features around 52,205 new publications from 2024-2025. Al Mahrouqi emphasised Oman's longstanding cultural and trade ties with India, strengthened by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq's visit in 2023. 'Our relationship with India is historic -- from trade to cultural influences. The visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to India in 2023 crowned our long-standing relationship," she said. Al Mahrouqi also called on international media to highlight stories of diversity to advance peace, stating, 'Embracing differences is essential for progress and prosperity.' First Published: 30 Apr 2025, 02:01 PM IST
Times of Oman
28-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Oman participates in Arabian Travel Market exhibition in Dubai
Dubai --- With the participation of the Sultanate of Oman, the 32nd edition of the Arabian Travel Market exhibition kicked off today in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The 4-day event is themed "Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow's Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity." Oman delegations to the exhibition is headed by Salim Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism. Al Mahrouqi stated that the ministry is participating with 37 tourism and hospitality companies and institutions representing the sector, including several small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In a statement to the Oman News Agency, the Minister emphasized that Oman's participation in the Arabian Travel Market 2025 in Dubai aligns with its ongoing efforts to strengthen its position on the global tourism map as a leading destination offering experiences that meet the expectations of travelers worldwide. He noted that this year's participation aims to enhance the presence of Omani tourism companies and institutions in global markets, covering various tourism sectors, including SMEs. This reflects the ministry's commitment to providing new opportunities for these businesses to expand and boost their international competitiveness. The Minister added that Oman seeks to attract more investors and international partners through the participation in the exhibition. The Omani pavilion will host diverse activities, including the signing of strategic partnership agreements with global tourism institutions and the announcement of Khareef Dohfar 2025 season, one of the region's most prominent seasonal tourism events. Al Mahrouqi further highlighted that the exhibition provides an opportunity to enhance cooperation with regional and international airlines to increase tourist inflows to Oman, alongside tourism promotion and showcasing the ministry's future vision for developing the sector with diverse offerings in line with Oman Vision 2040. He affirmed that these efforts will reinforce Oman's status as a distinguished global tourism destination rooted in its heritage. Oman's participation includes several activities, such as meetings between ministers, CEOs, and global and regional airlines, a press conference announcing Khareef Dohfar 2025 events, and the signing of multiple agreements with international tourism entities for promotional partnerships with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. Additionally, direct meetings will be held with travel and tourism operators and service providers. The Arabian Travel Market 2025 serves as a key platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among travel and tourism stakeholders, including hotels, airlines, travel agencies, and tour operators, with participation from 161 countries and 2,800 exhibitors. Statistics indicate that the number of air travelers from the GCC tourism market to Oman reached 1,506,688 by the end of 2024.
Trade Arabia
16-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Omans's tourism sector on track to create 500,000 jobs by 2040
Oman's tourism sector is poised for significant growth, with plans to create over 500,000 jobs and attract investments totalling around OMR19 billion ($49 billion) by 2040, according to Salim Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism. Addressing the Shura Council, Al Mahrouqi outlined a comprehensive strategy to boost the sector, which is set to contribute OMR3 billion, or 3.5 percent, to the country's GDP by 2030 - a marked increase from previous years, reported Times of Oman. This growth is aligned with Oman Vision 2040's broader economic diversification goals, positioning tourism as a cornerstone of the nation's future development. The Minister highlighted that the contribution of the tourism sector has risen from OMR1.8bn in 2019 to OMR2 billion in 2023. The sector's direct added value also grew from OMR873 million in 2019 to OMR1 billion in 2023, signalling a positive trend that is expected to accelerate in the coming years. Speaking about domestic tourism, the Minister said that the number of local visitors increased from 10 million in 2019 to 13 million in 2023, while domestic tourism spending grew from OMR732 million in 2019 to OMR830mn in 2023. This growth is driven by ongoing investments and a focus on developing and renovating key tourist destinations across Oman.
