1 FREE NIGHT IN OMAN* OMAN’S CAMPAIGN TO ATTRACT STOPOVER VISITORS

1 FREE NIGHT IN OMAN*

OMAN’S CAMPAIGN TO ATTRACT STOPOVER VISITORS

·         Oman Air, Oman’s Ministry of Tourism and tourism stakeholders have joined forces to launch a campaign to entice passengers on Oman Air’s international network to stopover in the Sultanate.

·         For the period up to 22 December 2012, stopovers can be booked on Oman Air’s international services with participating resorts and hotels offering a free night and breakfast for bookings of two to three days, with some properties offering further incentives.

·         His Excellency Abdulmalik Al Khalili, Oman’s Minister of Tourism said “the 1 Free Night in Oman* campaign sees our national carrier and industry working together on a powerful campaign. It demonstrates the industry is thinking and acting tactically to grow business and generate more jobs in the tourism and transport sectors” he said.

·         Wayne Pearce, Oman Air’s Chief Executive, said “the campaign is well timed and adds value to our passengers. It will attract new business to the airline and Oman. It shows consumers we are working together as a destination and this will add to the airline’s and destination’s competitiveness level”.

·         The 1 Free Night in Oman* campign adds to several other tourism campaigns launched in recent months including a global awareness campaign on BBC Worldwide television and web sites, the Oman Air and Ministry of Tourism Pan European campaign now being rolled out, and the Muscat Arab Tourism Capital 2012 campaign launched last month.

Muscat 7 February 2012. Oman’s national carrier Oman Air along with Oman’s Ministry of Tourism, resorts, hotels and tour companies have joined forces to launch a 1 Free Night in Oman* campaign to entice stopovers on Oman Air’s international network. The campaign is the first of its kind for Oman and runs from 1 February to 22 December 2012 with the offer available on all classes of travel.

His Excellency Abdulmalik Al Khalili, Oman’s Minister of Tourism said “the 1 Free Night in Oman* campaign brings the Ministry of Tourism, Oman Air, accommodation providers and tour companies into a high profile tactical campaign. It shows that our industry stakeholders can see and chase down strategic opportunities. In this case, tapping Oman Air’s growing transit market will benefit the airline, the tourism industry and generate more jobs in the tourism and transport sectors”.

Oman Air’s international network is now firmly established with Muscat recording solid transit passenger growth in the last year. The stopover campaign’s launch follows Oman Air’s entry to Zurich and increased services to South East Asia. The Campaign start also overlaps the start of a new season of performances at the Royal Opera House Muscat, and the 2012 Muscat Festival.

The Minister said “the 1 Free Night in Oman* campaign is a major development for our industry. It gives tourism operators the opportunity to develop business across Oman Air’s growing international network, as well as the potential to win over the large number of travelers who pass through the Gulf to now consider an Oman stopover” he continued.

Oman Air’s Chief Executive Wayne Pearce said “the campaign is well timed and takes advantage of Oman Air’s international strategy and growing transit passenger market. The campaign adds value to our customers and will attract new business to the airline and Oman. It clearly demonstrates the synergy of the airline and destination joint promotion and enhanced competitiveness, enticing transit passengers to stop over and enjoy Oman”.

The campaign will be promoted by Oman Air’s agents, Oman Air Holidays, the Ministry of Tourism and participating resorts, hotels and tour operators.

Contact:

Oman Ministry of Tourism: Peter Keage, Oman Tourism, peterk@omantoursm.gov.om, Telephone +968 2458 8831

Oman Ministry of Tourism UK Market based representative: Alison Cryer, Director UK & Ireland, oman@representationplus.co.uk, tel. 0208 877 4505/24

Notes

·         1 Free Night in Oman* terms and conditions apply. Check with Oman Air or with your local agent/tour operator for details or refer to: http://holidays.omanair.com/wy/oman-air-holidays/oman-stopover

·         The Royal Opera House Muscat performance program is available at www.rohm.org.om

·         Muscat Festival details can be obtained from www.muscat-festival.com

·         Muscat 2012 details can be obtained from www.muscat2012.om