Oman stages operetta at ITB Berlin 2024
The Sultanate of Oman staged an operetta performance during the official opening ceremony of ITB Berlin 2024, the world's leading travel trade show.
The folkloric show, “Discover Oman”, took place at the CityCube Theatre in Berlin. Oman’s performances at the international extravaganza (March 5-7) will last several days.
Represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman presented a visual display comprising three scenes that focused on natural landmarks, elements of cultural heritage and the progress accomplished by the country. The operetta also highlighted the country’s cultural identity and the sustainable tourism development programmes of Oman Vision 2040.
The operetta saw the participation of the Royal Symphony Orchestra, which presented classical and musical performances and national songs and dances, in addition to contributions from other folklore bands and Omani artists.
Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, said it was a privilege for Oman to be an official partner of ITB Berlin.
In his opening night speech, he said Oman was looking ahead with optimism as it continued to build the tourism sector beyond national boundaries and align with the common objectives of the rest of the GCC countries to create an appealing destination that provided plenty of choices and experiences.
He stressed the importance of tourism for Oman as a sector that had made remarkable economic and social contributions in recent years. It was increasingly becoming a driving force for economic growth, job creation and heritage and cultural sustainability, he added.
He said: “Travel is something that for us Omanis is embedded in our DNA. For millennia our ancestors set foot on foreign soils. We Omanis were the original global travellers when we crossed the oceans of the known world for trade, friendship and cultural exchange”.
The Minister said huge investments were being made in Oman, new vibrant destinations were under development and many were already dotting the landscape.
He added: “Supporting this is a range of tourism-friendly legislation including the easing of visa requirements, an ecosystem of investor-driven initiatives, empowerment of local communities, a measured marketing strategy and heritage and cultural components of uncompromising authenticity.”
Dr Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin, said the travel and tourism sector was undergoing challenges that included climate change, high carbon emissions and a lack of skilled workers. He said these required opinions and proposed solutions from conference participants.
Kai Wegner, Mayor of Berlin, welcomed Oman as an official partner of ITB Berlin 2024, and stressed the value of the tourism sector. He said Germany attracted 12 million visitors in 2023.
Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council, said tourism in Oman was set to grow further in the coming years. She underscored the significance of Oman’s diverse tourism components, notably the country’s ancient history.
Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UN Tourism, a United Nations agency, invited tourists from around the world to visit Oman's abundant attractions.
He said: “The global tourism sector is recovering, with the number of tourists rising by 3 per cent and the volume of spending standing at about 3.3 trillion US dollars in 2023.”
The opening ceremony of ITB Berlin was attended by 3,000 people from more than 160 countries in addition to representatives of tourism companies, travel sector decision makers and politicians.
This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.