Hottest Destination for 2008
A recent report in the Observer (UK), predicted that the Middle East will be the hottest destination for 2008. Founding Director of Original Travel, Tom Barber said that all the recent problems in the Middle East have actually made people more aware of the region, and rather than putting them off, they have become fascinated. Original Travel's most popular destination is now Oman. 'We see it kind of
spreading out - people started in Dubai, then they looked over and got interested in Oman.'

Demand is also being driven by the opening of exclusive luxury hotels in the region. In February 2008, for example, the latest property in the Six Senses Hideaway portfolio opens at Zighy Bay in northern Oman's remote Musandam Peninsula where the majestic fjords are located. Visitors can choose to arrive by speedboat, a 4x4 trip through the Hajar Mountains, or as a passenger in a paraglider.

Travel & Tourism
World Travel Tourism Council’s latest projection for the industry is that a quarter of a billion people will work in Travel & Tourism worldwide by the end of the decade, with the prospect of sustainable growth in to the future. This projection is supported by WTTC’s latest economic research that indicates consistent growth, at 4.6% pa, over the coming decade.

In order to meet the challenges ahead and achieve the vision, the Blueprint for New Tourism establishes three fundamental conditions:

1. Governments must recognize Travel & Tourism as a top priority :
   • Elevate Travel & Tourism as an issue to the top level of policy making
   • Create a competitive business environment
   • Ensure that quality statistics and data feed into policy and decision-making
   • Invest in developing the appropriate human capital
   • Liberalize trade, transport, communications and investment
   • Build confidence in safety and security
   • Promote product diversification that spreads demand
   • Plan for sustainable tourism growth, in keeping with cultures and character
   • Invest in new technology, such as satellite navigation systems
     
     
2. Business must balance economics with people, culture and environment
• Expand markets while protecting natural resources, local heritage and lifestyles
• Develop people to narrow the gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’
• Provide traditional tourism products sensitively
• Reduce seasonality and increase yields with imaginative new products
• Improve quality, value and choice
• Agree and implement quality standards at all levels
• Transfer skills and best practice throughout the industry
• Increase the sophistication of information, to make better business decisions
• Communicate more broadly and more effectively
  
  
3. All parties must share the pursuit of long-term growth and prosperity
   • Ally best practice in tourism with government policy
   • Prepare sustainable master plans for entire destinations
   • Create locally driven processes for continuous stakeholder consultation
   • Restructure national tourism boards
   • Set environmental policy goals that can be met
   • Develop and deploy skills effectively
   • Collaborate on information requirements
   • Collaborate on security
   • Develop confidence on all side