MUSCAT : The discussions took place during a visit by His Excellency Ibrahim bin Said Al Busaidi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, to Thailand, where he met Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral collaboration and expand partnerships in tourism development.

Both sides reviewed prospects for joint tourism promotion and shared best practices in managing tourist destinations, with the aim of improving service quality and enhancing the global competitiveness of destinations in both countries. Discussions also covered sustainable tourism, community-based initiatives, and strategies for managing and recovering from tourism crises.

During the visit, the Omani delegation was briefed on Thailand’s experience in developing its tourism sector, particularly in attracting international markets, implementing a high-value tourism model, and integrating digital technologies and sustainability principles across tourism activities.

The two sides underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships between public and private sector stakeholders, especially travel and tourism companies, and promoting the exchange of expertise in developing innovative tourism products.

The visit is part of a broader series of international engagements by the Minister aimed at exploring global best practices and identifying cooperation opportunities that support the development of the tourism sector in Oman, in line with Oman Vision 2040.

On the sidelines of the visit, the Minister participated in the opening ceremony of the World Conference on Sustainable Tourism, held in Phuket, Thailand, with the participation of global policymakers, experts, and industry leaders. The conference focused on key themes including sustainable hospitality, resilience of tourism communities, and managing visitor flows to balance growth with resource conservation.

He also held bilateral meetings with international officials and tourism experts, discussing cooperation opportunities and reviewing global experiences in sustainability practices, including destination management, improving hotel efficiency, and adopting smart solutions to regulate visitor movement.

Oman’s participation in the conference reflects its commitment to adopting international best practices in sustainable tourism and strengthening its presence in global platforms, while advancing the sector’s competitiveness and preserving natural and cultural resources for future generations.

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