Latest news with #HashilAlMahrouqi
Observer
16-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Excitement in the air as Oman Kite Festival kicks off in Bar Al Hikman
The skies above Bar al Hikman came alive on Tuesday with colour and movement as the Oman Kite Festival was officially launched, ushering in a high-energy, coast-to-coast celebration of sport, sustainability, and community. Kicking off the festival, Dr Hashil Al Mahrouqi, CEO of Omran Group, welcomed athletes, spectators, and community members to the opening ceremony, setting the tone for what promises to be one of the most dynamic watersport events Oman has hosted. Organised by Oman Sail and proudly supported by Omran Group, the 10-day festival (July 14–24) brings together a diverse lineup of international and local kitesurfers, who will compete in a series of races and freestyle showcases spanning Oman's eastern coastline—from Bar Al Hikman and Al Ashkharah to Masirah Island and Ras Al Hadd. 'There's been a lot of excitement leading up to this,' said Firas Asqul, Project Manager at Oman Sail. 'From studying the market, we felt it was the right time to host a large-scale, public-facing event. We're thrilled to see it finally take off.' The event schedule includes competitive highlights such as the Kite Course Race at Bar Al-Hikman (July 15), the adrenaline-pumping multi-stage Downwinder Race (July 16, 20, 21), Big Air and Freestyle Shows on Masirah Island (July 17–18), a Coastal Race in Ras Masirah (July 19), and the grand finale Slalom Race at Ras Al Hadd Lake on July 24. For Omani participant Khalfan Al Athubi, a sailing skipper who has been kitesurfing for four years, the challenge goes far beyond competition. 'I've always wanted to try a downwinder. I've never done long distance before—not even in training—so I'm really excited. Hopefully I can go far with it.' In addition to sporting excitement, the festival also showcases Oman's commitment to sustainability, tourism, and youth engagement in line with Oman Vision 2040. Community beach clean-ups, a small business exhibition at Al Ashkharah Park, and artisan markets give the event a cultural and environmental dimension—connecting sport to purpose. Senior leaders from Omran and Oman Sail, including CEO Dr. Khamis Al Jabri of Oman Sail and Johanna Ilic from Omran, were present at the opening to show their support. Their remarks emphasised the national importance of the festival as a platform for showcasing Oman's stunning coastal landscapes, supporting local talent, and drawing international attention to the country's growing watersports scene.
Trade Arabia
21-03-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Visit Oman leads global dialogue on sustainability at ITB Berlin
Visit Oman hosted a high-level Roundtable at ITB Berlin, organised by the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council, to advance sustainable tourism. The event brought together global travel industry leaders to discuss sustainability strategies, case studies, and best practices. Oman's Ambassador to Germany, Maitha Saif Al Mahrouqi, attended as the Guest of Honor. The exclusive event welcomed senior executives from Sabre, Travelzoo, Mastercard, ICF, and MMGY, representing some of the most influential travel and tourism companies across Germany, France, China, the Middle East, the US, and the UK. The discussions focused on practical methodologies for integrating sustainability into destination management, travel technology, and tourism investment, while Oman shed light on the National Priorities of Oman Vision 2040 related to sustainability, the initiatives carried out to achieve Oman's National Strategy for an Orderly Transition to Net Zero, Oman's first net zero energy city by 2025 (The Sustainable City Yiti), and local communities as a crucial component of sustainable tourism. Dr Hashil Al Mahrouqi, Chief Executive Officer of OMRAN Group, commented on the company's ESG Framework: 'Sustainability is a core pillar of our tourism development strategy, driving economic growth while preserving Oman's natural and cultural heritage. Through our ESG framework, we integrate responsible tourism principles to minimise environmental impact, empower local communities, and enhance governance, ensuring long-term resilience. As a key enabler of Oman Vision 2040, we are committed to fostering a sustainable tourism ecosystem that aligns with global best practices." Shabib Al Maamari, Managing Director of Visit Oman, stated: 'Our collaboration with the Resilience Council offers us an excellent opportunity to engage with and learn from global sustainability leaders in the sector, ensuring Oman remains at the forefront of responsible tourism. Recognising that over 80% of travelers prioritise sustainable travel and seek authentic, eco-conscious experiences, our strategic focus is on accelerating the accessibility of Omani tourism offerings through digital distribution. By closely collaborating with our local partners, we are actively adapting our strategies to not only meet, but exceed, these evolving traveler expectations.' Facilitated by the Resilience Council, the discussion provided a platform for executive leaders to engage directly with global travel companies that shape consumer behavior in key source markets. Laurie Myers, Global Strategist for the Resilience Council, emphasised the importance of fostering industry dialogue, 'Destinations that engage in meaningful conversations with their source markets are best positioned to align with evolving sustainability expectations. This Roundtable brought together both sides of the equation, Oman's leadership and global travel brands to develop collaborations, and practical solutions that benefit both industry and environment.' The Roundtable event coincides with the announcement of the Resilience Council's strengthened 2025 international Executive Leaders network. OMRAN Group, under the leadership of Dr Hashil Al Mahrouqi, has joined the council's 'Global' division.
Observer
16-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
Visit Oman hosts roundtable at ITB Berlin
Muscat: Visit Oman, a high-level roundtable at the premiere travel industry event, ITB Berlin, organized by the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council. Maitha Saif al Mahrouqi, Oman's Ambassador to Germany, attended the Roundtable as the Guest of Honor. The event welcomed senior executives from Sabre, Travelzoo, Mastercard, ICF, and MMGY, representing some of the influential travel and tourism companies across Germany, France, China, the Middle East, the US, and the UK. The discussions focused on practical methodologies for integrating sustainability into destination management, travel technology, and tourism investment, while Oman shed light on the National Priorities of Oman Vision 2040 related to sustainability, the initiatives carried out to achieve Oman's National Strategy for an Orderly Transition to Net Zero, Oman's first net zero energy city by 2025 (The Sustainable City Yiti), and local communities as a crucial component of sustainable tourism. Dr Hashil Al Mahrouqi, Chief Executive Officer of Omran, said, 'Sustainability is a core pillar of our tourism development strategy, driving economic growth while preserving Oman's natural and cultural heritage. Through our ESG framework, we integrate responsible tourism principles to minimize environmental impact, empower local communities, and enhance governance, ensuring long-term resilience. As a key enabler of Oman Vision 2040, we are committed to fostering a sustainable tourism ecosystem that aligns with global best practices." Shabib al Maamari, managing director of Visit Oman, said, 'Our collaboration with the Resilience Council offers us an excellent opportunity to engage with and learn from global sustainability leaders in the sector, ensuring Oman remains at the forefront of responsible tourism. Recognizing that over 80% of travelers prioritize sustainable travel and seek authentic, eco-conscious experiences, our strategic focus is on accelerating the accessibility of Omani tourism offerings through digital distribution. By closely collaborating with our local partners, we are actively adapting our strategies to not only meet but exceed these evolving traveler expectations.' The Roundtable event coincides with the announcement of the Resilience Council's strengthened 2025 international Executive Leaders network. OMRAN Group, under the leadership of Dr Hashil Al Mahrouqi, has joined the council's 'Global' division. Additionally, Visit Oman, led by Shabib Al Maamari, will serve as the 'Middle East & North Africa' representative.
