Latest news with #HashilObaidalMahrouqi
Muscat Daily
21-07-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Tourism career camp trains 50 Omani students
Muscat – The first edition of a summer camp designed to familiarise school students with careers in tourism and hospitality concluded on Monday. It was organised by Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran Group) in collaboration with Directorate of Career Guidance and Student Counselling under Ministry of Education (MoE). The ten-day programme included 50 students from Grades 10 and 11 who engaged in a series of site visits and interactive workshops across Omran-affiliated tourism and hospitality entities. The aim was to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the tourism industry and its career possibilities. The closing ceremony was held under the patronage of H E Abdullah Khamis Ambusaidi, Undersecretary for Education in MoE, with Dr Hashil Obaid al Mahrouqi, CEO of Omran, and officials of the group and ministry in attendance. Maha al Farsi, HR Business Partner at Omran, said the camp served as a practical introduction to the sector's core areas. 'We were impressed by the students' enthusiasm and commitment. The camp provided real-world exposure and helped raise early career awareness. We see this as an important step towards building local talent for Oman's tourism sector.' Zahran bin Nasser al Maghadri, Assistant Director of Studies and Entrepreneurship at the ministry's Vocational Guidance Centre, noted the initiative's alignment with broader education goals. 'The camp bridged the gap between education and the job market. It helped develop key skills and highlighted national opportunities. This is a model of effective public-private partnership.' Students also reflected positively on the experience. Aya Sultan al Wahaibi said the camp was 'inspiring and useful', while Mohammed Ali al Maamari described it as 'a fun and practical way' to learn about the industry. The summer camp is part of Omran Group's #IAmTourism strategy, aimed at developing a national workforce in the tourism sector. The strategy focuses on four areas: raising awareness of tourism careers, attracting local talent, improving retention, and strengthening institutional collaboration.
Muscat Daily
03-05-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Omran gets sustainability stamp for 16 properties
Muscat – During its participation in Arabian Travel Market in Dubai last week, Omran Group secured a prestigious international certification under the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) Hotel Sustainability Basics programme for a number of its hotels. The recognition covers 16 hotels and resorts within Omran Group's portfolio, making these the first in Oman to achieve this globally accredited sustainability standard. The milestone reflects Omran Group's steadfast commitment to sustainability, aligning with internationally recognised best practices in the hospitality sector, a press release stated. On the environmental front, the verified hotels have implemented effective measures to optimise energy and water consumption, reduce carbon emissions and minimise plastic waste, thereby enhancing resource efficiency and mitigating environmental impact. In terms of social sustainability, the hotels actively contribute to local communities by fostering partnerships with small and medium enterprises and empowering local entrepreneurs through inclusive business integration. Commenting on the achievement, Hashil Obaid al Mahrouqi, CEO of Omran Group, said, 'We take great pride in our hotels receiving this esteemed verification, a testament to our unwavering commitment to integrating sustainability as a fundamental pillar across all our operations and projects. Guided by our vision for the tourism sector, we have adopted a comprehensive sustainability framework centred on four key pillars – environment, society, economy and cultural heritage. Through this approach, we strive to strike a balance between economic growth and the preservation of natural resources, ensuring the long-term sustainability of Oman's tourism sector and maximising its positive impact for generations to come.' The 16 properties that have attained the WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics verification are JW Marriott Muscat, W Muscat, InterContinental Muscat, Alila Hinu Bay, Alila Jabal Akhdar, Barceló Mussanah, Crowne Plaza Duqm, Crowne Plaza OCEC, Crowne Plaza Salalah, dusitD2 Naseem Jabal Akhdar, Atana Musandam, Atana Stay Ashkara, Atana Stay Salalah, City Hotel Duqm, Masirah Island Resort and Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve. On the occasion, Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC, said, 'We are delighted to see Omran Group leading the way in sustainable hospitality in Oman. By achieving verification under the WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics, Omran is setting a powerful example for the region. This milestone underscores the group's commitment to responsible tourism and aligns with our global mission to drive sustainability across the travel and tourism sector. Omran's efforts show that sustainability and excellence in hospitality can go hand in hand.' Atana Musandam
