Muscat – Oman will participate in the FITUR 2026 International Tourism Fair, which opens in Madrid, Spain on January 21, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s presence in key global tourism markets.
The event brings together international tourism authorities, companies and industry experts to discuss developments in the global tourism sector and explore innovative and sustainable tourism strategies, including the use of emerging technologies.
Oman’s participation includes a delegation from tourism institutions, hotels, private sector companies and strategic partners, reflecting a coordinated approach to promoting the sultanate’s tourism offerings.
Haitham bin Mohammed al Ghassani, official spokesperson for the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and Director General of Tourism Promotion, said Oman’s participation is part of ongoing efforts to develop and diversify the tourism sector.
He said the sultanate aims to benefit from international experiences, promote Omani tourism in various markets and build strategic partnerships that enhance the global presence of the sector and strengthen its competitiveness.
Ghassani added that encouraging local travel and tourism companies to adopt best practices in developing tourism products is essential to ensuring sustainable growth.
He noted that FITUR is an important platform due to the wide range of sectors it covers and its focus on innovative tourism technologies aligned with modern travel trends. He also highlighted the value of market studies and analyses presented by tourism communication companies at the event, which support future plans to target and attract new markets to Oman.
Spain is considered an important source market for Omani tourism, with around 10,700 Spanish tourists visiting the sultanate between January and November 2025. Madrid also serves as a major air transport hub connecting Europe and Latin America, accounting for 16.5% of air traffic, supporting the flow of Latin American visitors to the Middle East.
