Tourism

Oman’s tourism industry is set to maintain its steady rate of growth over the coming decades as public and private investment in the sector helps broaden the range of facilities and improve services, though the Sultanate will have to contend with increased competition in the region as other Gulf states also seek to attract overseas visitors.

Having benefitted from the surge in arrivals and a massive profile boost from last year’s World Cup, South Africa’s tourism industry is now facing a slightly more challenging environment. However, a shift in policy and more targeted promotions aimed at domestic travellers may soon get the industry moving again.

Jordan’s recently unveiled five-year national tourism strategy foresees the private sector playing a growing role in the sector, with the eventual goal of doubling the industry’s contribution to GDP.

Abu Dhabi has surpassed 1m hotel guests for the first half of the year and seems likely to achieve its tourism aims for 2011, although increased competition could eat into margins in the longer term.

Tourism officials in Sharjah have adopted a hard-sell approach to promoting the emirate’s credentials as a travel destination, racking up frequent flyer points of their own as they criss-cross the globe to take part in tourism fairs and trade events. The success of this campaign will depend to some degree on the health of the economies of the countries targeted by the emirate’s promotional push.

Manila is looking to launch a new strategic plan to maximise the country’s tourism potential, raising the sector’s profile internationally while boosting employment and investments in key infrastructure and facilities to improve service provision. However, even if the plan is successfully implemented, the Philippines will still have a long way to claim a greater share of regional hospitality sector.