MUSCAT – Oman’s decision to set up tourist-friendly facilities was taken in line with the government’s decision to give thrust to tourism sector and make Oman one of the best tourism destinations in the world, officials said.
Aimed at providing quality facilities to tourists, the Ministry of Tourism has decided to set up public toilets of high standard at different tourist locations in Oman.
The ministry has initiated procedures for the same and tenders have been invited for consultancy services for design and supervision of public toilets at different locations.
The officials said that there was steady increase in the flow of tourists to the country in the last couple of years and it was expected to increase by another 20 per cent in the next year. The ministry would be setting up certain infrastructure facilities for the convenience of the public and the tourists, the officials added.
Oman has received many accolades from abroad as one of the major tourist attractions of the world. It was the only Arab country to be ranked among the 20 Top Tourist Destinations in the World’ by National Geographic magazine last year. Muscat was ranked as the second best city in the world by Lonely Planet. The Arab Tourism Ministers’ Council had given Muscat, the status of Arab Tourism Capital for 2012.
The tourism sector contributed 2.4 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP) and the government was taking all efforts to increase it to 3.5 percent. Enormous efforts were on for sustainable development of tourism and the government was investing heavily on improving the infrastructure facilities. — SG
