Middle East: Middle East Eco Tourism

Middle East Eco Tourism

Eco-tourism is the watch word for Oman's tourism development as outlined in the Sixth Five Year Plan. Not only considered to be a unique selling point, it is also indispensable to maintaining tourism in the country over the longer term. Plans include in particular the Dhofar area and the Musandam region. The Sultanate also has plans to simplify the visa/No Objection Certificate (NOC) system, to make the country easier to visit.

Meanwhile in Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCF SCF Service Canadien des Forêts (Canadian Forest Service)
SCF Stem Cell Factor

SCF Scientific Committee on Food (European Commission)

SCF Service Canadien de la Faune ) estimates the kingdom's tourist market to be worth $10bn and projects growth will achieve $22bn within the next 15 years. New measures to facilitate tourist visas will be introduced and  xpects all obstacles to be removed within five years, He also expects the numbers of visitors to grow from 20.8m in 2001 to reach 44m in the next two years. At present there are 95,000 hotel rooms and projected development over the next 10 years will require 50,000 new hotel rooms as well as 74,000 furnished flats to meet requirements.

Efforts are also underway to develop new tourist sites in the kingdom as well as promoting bird watching and Red Sea diving The recognised aim is to develop tourism without affecting the kingdom's Islamic values. The country already enjoys great popularity with Japanese and Italian tourists.