Muscat – The first symposium on Security of Tourism Facilities opened on Sunday under the patronage of H E Azzan bin Qais al Busaidi, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, underscoring the growing role of security in enhancing Oman’s attractiveness as a safe and competitive tourism destination.
Organised by Security and Safety Services, the symposium highlighted the need for an integrated security framework that keeps pace with the rapid expansion of the tourism sector and reinforces investor and visitor confidence.
Speaking at the opening session, Brig (Ret) Saeed bin Sulaiman al Asimi, CEO of Security and Safety Services, said tourism facilities have evolved beyond their traditional role as leisure providers to become a strategic component of national and economic security.
He noted that trust has become central to the sustainability of tourism, particularly in light of accelerating global challenges. “The strength of tourism facilities lies not only in preventing crises, but in the level of preparedness and professionalism in managing these,” Asimi said.
He stressed that investment in advanced security technologies, continuous staff training and clear emergency response protocols send a strong message that the sultanate offers a safe and reliable environment for tourists and investors alike.
Asimi added that security should no longer be viewed as an operational burden, but as a strategic driver of growth. “Transforming security into a competitive advantage enhances service quality, strengthens investor confidence and improves overall tourism performance,” he said.
Addressing sector-wide challenges, he emphasised the importance of effective public-private partnerships, calling for closer coordination, information sharing and unified response mechanisms. He described the symposium as a practical example of such collaboration.
During the opening ceremony, strategic partners and local and international speakers were honoured in recognition of their contribution to the success of the symposium. Honourees included representatives from the Ministry of Labour, Oman Airports, Muscat Media Group and Oman Tourism College, alongside international experts Michael O’Neill, Calum Anderson, Kate Ansley and Stephen Thompson, as well as Yousuf al Mufraji from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.
The symposium programme featured four specialised seminars delivered by international experts in security, risk management and guest experience. The sessions examined the shift from traditional security practices to comprehensive strategic systems that link safety to destination reputation, visitor trust and investment sustainability.
The discussions reaffirmed that security in tourism facilities is no longer an isolated operational issue, but a core pillar of tourism competitiveness and national economic resilience.
