On attracting professional tourism to boost the broader economy How is Oman competing with offerings from regional convention and exhibition centres to attract new events?
SAID AL SHANFARI: Global competition is fierce as there has been tremendous growth in both new and renovated facilities in recent years. Events are currently undergoing a shift in terms of formats and technology, and so centres need to be able to adapt. The key is to create flexibility in facilities and services to be able to respond to new demands. The OCEC has a unique purpose-built events venue with 22,000 sq metres of column-free exhibition space, a dedicated conference centre with 55 meeting spaces and a 3200-person theatre. The sultanate plays a vital role in attracting conferences and exhibitions by offering a guaranteed safe destination with authentic culture and history. As a result, the OCEC has been able to attract 18 international and regional conferences with a total economic impact of OR22.5m ($58.4m), and there are more bids in the pipeline. As for exhibitions, we welcomed the World Heavy Oil Congress and Exhibition, our first international event in 2018.
In what ways can policy and regulatory changes enable the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector to increase its economic contribution?
SHANFARI: Our main focus should be to facilitate the process of bringing events into the country. This is why the OCEC is working simultaneously with the Oman Convention Bureau, the Royal Oman Police and other government entities to ensure a seamless arrival experience for all parties. International conferences bring enormous benefit to a country, which is why there is rigorous competition within the segment. The economic impact is not only measured by the money spent on accommodation, flights and other related expenses, but also by the resulting expansion in knowledge within the community that leads to broader strategic development.
Other countries are also working to attract MICE travellers. This is because they bring two-to-three times more economic value than leisure travellers, and leaving a positive impression on MICE travellers usually results in a return visit to the country. International conferences and exhibitions provide Oman with the opportunity to showcase its offerings, which could potentially lead to future investments, knowledge exchanges, business and employment generation, and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. One regulation that we worked on relaxing had to do with local content requirements. As Oman is trying to diversify and develop the tourism sector, the presence of foreign expertise is necessary for the short to medium term.
How are stakeholders working to adequately train local workers for jobs within tourism and hospitality?
SHANFARI: The OCEC has managed to put together an experienced team that consists of 70% Omanis, and the majority of this workforce have backgrounds in the hospitality and events industry. Like our major stakeholder, Oman Tourism Development Company, we fundamentally believe in developing and upskilling young Omanis for a career in the hospitality and business events sectors. Our strategy goes hand-in-hand with the National Education Strategy 2040, part of which is to improve the quality of education inline with the highest international standards, but also to emphasise learning, innovation and creativity, scientific research and sustainable financing models. As a growing, dynamic industry with an important role in diversifying the national economy, the tourism sector is going to provide an increasing number of career opportunities over the coming years. Colleges such as the Oman Tourism College already have event-specific courses, as well as courses specialising in various segments within the sector, and we are looking forward to working with some of these graduates in the future.
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