BAA announces tourism plan for Oman

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BAA, recent winner of the Oman airports management contract, has announced plans to contribute to the development of the Gulf state as a major tourist destination. "We are aiming to make Oman one of the most attractive places in the Middle East for the major airlines to serve," BAA official Colin Hobbs told Reuters in an interview.

Currently managing director of Southampton airport, Hobbs will become chief executive of the new company that will operate Oman's Seeb airport in Muscat and Salalah airport from January 2002. BAA will invest almost $300m in the next 25 years for the development of the two airports including the construction of a new terminal at Seeb.

Hobbs said one of his priorities would be to attract more tourists. "In broader terms, we have plans to increase holiday traffic and help the government's efforts to attract quality holiday makers to Oman," he said. In September Oman awarded a 25-year contract to BAA and its partners, local firm Suhail Bahwan Group and ABB Equity Ventures. The Omani government retains a 20% stake in the airport company and state-run Oman Aviation Services holds 5%.

Commerce minister Makboul bin Ali bin Sultan said earlier this year Oman was not seeking mass tourism but what he called quality visitors who would appreciate its culture.

"There is no doubt that we will return our investment. Oman has a bigger potential to be a major tourist destination than its neighbours," said Hobbs. "We also know everything about our main competitors like Dubai, but Oman's geographic position is excellently placed to serve transiting passengers to Europe and Africa looking to save travel time."

Oman, which has prime diving sites, a tropical climate and untypically green landscape, currently receives 650,000 tourists a year compared to the 1.5m tourists visiting Dubai.