Levonian pinpointed, “Oman rejoices in a uniquely diverse landscape of spectacular mountains, desert and beach. Most resorts combine two of the three.
[…] Omanis are proud of their beautiful country and warmly welcome those who want to discover its attractions. These factors of true hospitality influence the MICE business to the country.”
Travellers on incentives trips can benefit from plethora of options enhancing quality time during team-building and leisure activities.
Dagmar Weber, tour manager, Musandam Sea Adventure Travel & Tourism, suggested that for convenience and seamless arrangement of a group programme, visitors are welcome to directly liaise with Oman Convention Bureau or destination management companies (DMC) in Muscat.
She further exemplified on attractions, ”We are capable of handling big groups of travellers.
[…] For incentive group the best is our motor yacht Rubba, a double decker boat with large platform and six double cabins […].
We consider our day cruise in the Fjords of Musandam peninsula on board of our traditional Omani dhow or the luxury yacht as the highlights, as cruising through the Fjords is an amazing and magical experience.”
As a representative of DMCs, Salim Al Masroori, general manager, The Vision Oman Destination Management, considers Oman as an ideal MICE destination thanks to its appealing blend of excellent hotel and convention facilities with flexible settings, sophisticated arrangements and services by DMCs and variety of opportunities to relax at leisure time.
He expanded, “We, The Vision of Oman, offer reasonable and seasonal packages including private chauffer service […].”
Omani hotels and resorts also seem to have discovered an effective formula for providing attractive offerings for groups of colleagues. Hewitson explained that Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, hailed as the first luxury private pool villa resort in Southern Oman, features various configurations of meeting space to host any event function, boosted by unique excursions and on-site activities for enhancing team spirit, commemorating a new deal or a milestone with exclusive celebrations.
Bringing the signs of humanity to business as the property’s approach to corporate travel, Vartanian underscored the importance of balanced fusion between work and leisure.
He expressed, “We are entering an era in which work and life are blending. Productivity matters to our guests but they also seek energising experiences and inspiration.
They are lifeaholics and even in their time-pressured worlds, they embrace the aspirational side of business travel.” As a result, he exemplified that the establishment ensures the guests have spaces to be productive, to be better restored and inspired with globally recognised WorkLife room concept and Sleep Advantage programme.
AUSPICIOUS PROSPECTS
The latest developments accross the Sultanate indicate its prevailing focus on developing the corporate world with MICE tourism in the front line.
As a result, the destination's competitive advantages seem being gradually recognised by business globetrotters.
McCartney concluded, “While the economic and political disruption around the world will have some impact on business levels, Oman, as a peaceful, forward thinking country offers a meeting place where everyone is welcome.”
Adding to the country’s unique appeal and paraphrasing Vartanian, Oman not only boasts an ability to fulfill requests of MICE travellers and even exceed expectations, but it appears to possess a rare potential to turn workaholics into lifeaholics, a distinct added value to every business trip.
