“Flexible events spaces comprise two fully-equipped meeting rooms that can be opened up into a large ballroom hosting up to 150 guests indoors,” revealed Darren Darwin, general manager, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, highlighting that in between meetings, delegates can make the most of the resort’s fitness and leisure facilities, including a cliff-top infinity pool.
For team building activities and incentive trips, he suggested authentic experiences, such as archery, mountain biking, hiking, abseiling, Via Ferrata, a steel cable that runs down the rock face, mountain-top yoga, painting workshops, photography and cookery lessons, as well as the resort’s six restaurants and lounges.
Focussing on the incentives market, Oman’s offering is vast and diverse, with plenty of alluring destinations.
For example, Sohar, the mythical birthplace of Sinbad the Sailor, boasts the largest and most modern mosque in Oman and a unique historical Sohar Fort, as Kareem Al Barkachi, cluster director of sales and marketing, Radisson Blu Hotel, Sohar, highlighted.
As he went on to explain, organisers can also take advantage of various beach activities on offer, as well as water sports, along with desert safaris and dune bashing.
Also, the city is only a short drive to the UAE spots of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
On the other hand, the bustling commercial hub of Duqm, does not only attract interest from investors from across the globe, but it also offers plenty of opportunities for hunting trips, in addition to breathtaking sea views, Al Maha Natural Reserve, Rocks Garden, the Ras Madrakah peninsula and Ras Markaz, according to Fakhri Hindiyeh, general manager, Crowne Plaza Duqm.
Over in Salalah, famed for its Khareef season – an incentive on its own – Omran is determined to further develop the region with a slew of prestigious projects, including Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, due to open later this year.
Salah Al Ghazali, chief investment officer, Omran, confirmed, “Developed next to the Al Baleed UNESCO World Heritage Site and frankincense museum, the new resort will offer guests high levels of luxury and a superior cultural experience.”
And as Oman continues on its path of structured development, its future holds plenty of promises for event organisers from across the globe.
“The country has the potential to be a first-class MICE destination considering the tourist attractions and the facilities we have,” reaffirmed Al Mahrooqi.
NEW TRENDS
As Oman’s MICE scene continues to transform, it comes as no surprise that aspirations of its clientele are also evolving.
For example, with new destinations developing across the country alongside the necessary infrastructure, event organisers are likely to consider to plan several legs of their journey in Oman, suggested Rami Farhat, director of sales and marketing, Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
“Aside from new infrastructures and developments, delegates are increasingly looking for activities that enable them to give back to the community while travelling,” he added, highlighting that through impact experiences, groups can visit mangroves reserves and volunteer in the field, or take part in charity activities to raise funds for local associations.
