Bangkok: The Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Thailand today discussed opportunities for developing cooperation in the field of tourism promotion. They studied the best practices in managing tourist destinations, developing integrated tourism experiences, and upgrading the quality of tourism products.
According to Oman News Agency, the discussions took place during a visit to Thailand by Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said Al Busaidi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, during his meeting with Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Sayyid Ibrahim and his delegation were briefed about Thailand's experience in developing the tourism sector, notably in ways of attracting international markets, adopting a model on high-value tourism, utilizing digital technologies, and promoting sustainability in various tourism activities.
The two sides underscored the importance of establishing partnerships between stakeholders in the tourism sector and emphasized the need to explore new opportunities for cooperation in sustainable tourism, community-based tourism, and management of tourism crises. They also stressed the importance of encouraging partnerships between private sector firms, notably travel and tourism companies, to enhance the presence of Omani and Thai tourist destinations on the global tourism map.
The visit of the Omani delegation aligns with meetings made by the Minister with international professionals to learn about leading experiences and explore areas of cooperation and opportunities for developing the tourism sector in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. On the sidelines of the visit, the Minister participated in the opening ceremony of the World Conference on Sustainable Tourism in Phuket, Thailand, organized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), with a wide range of high-level attendees.
During the conference, vital issues related to the future of sustainable tourism, sustainable hospitality, the resilience of cities and tourist communities, and means of managing visitor flow were discussed to maintain the balance between tourism growth and resource conservation. Sayyid Ibrahim held bilateral meetings with international officials and experts, focusing on exchanging experiences, applying sustainability standards, expanding hotel facilities' efficiency, and endorsing smart solutions.
Sayyid Ibrahim was informed about initiatives and projects reflecting modern trends in developing sustainable tourism models based on innovation and modern technologies, enhancing the role of local communities as key partners in tourism sector development. The participation of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in the international event affirms Oman's commitment to adopting best global practices in tourism sustainability and developing the tourism sector to raise its competitive efficiency while protecting natural and cultural resources for future generations.