By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
The Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in the Republic of Korea, in collaboration with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of Oman, organized a promotional forum for Korean travel and tourism companies in Seoul on May 23, 2025.
The event aims to exchange experiences and introduce participants to the natural and cultural attractions that the Sultanate of Oman has to offer, thereby encouraging the South Korean tourism sector to include Oman among its preferred destinations and enhancing opportunities for tourism cooperation between the two countries.
This forum is held in support of Oman's Vision 2040, which prioritizes the development of the tourism sector as an alternative and sustainable source of national income, reducing reliance on oil revenues by highlighting Oman’s status as a distinguished tourist destination in the region.
The forum was attended by approximately thirty representatives from major travel and tourism companies in Korea, along with the Director of Oman Air's office in Seoul and several stakeholders in the tourism and travel sector.
The forum was inaugurated with welcoming remarks delivered by His Excellency Ambassador Zakariya bin Hamad Al-Saadi, the Sultanate of Oman’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. He expressed his delight at organizing this significant event, commending the participation of those present, and emphasizing that this gathering serves as a part of public diplomacy aimed at fostering mutual understanding between peoples and broadening the horizons of cooperation between Oman and Korea in various fields, particularly in tourism and culture.
His Excellency also highlighted the unique tourism assets that Oman offers, urging Korean companies to encourage Korean tourists to visit Oman to enjoy its beauty and hospitality, while building bridges for communication and information exchange.
On her part, Ms. Sajda bint Rashid Al-Ghaithiya, Director of the Tourism Marketing Department at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, discussed the importance of this initiative in promoting Oman as a preferred destination for Korean tourists. She pointed out that Oman boasts a unique tourism offering that combines stunning natural diversity with rich cultural heritage. She emphasized that the national tourism strategy aims to create an attractive environment for tourism through continuous development of infrastructure and tourism facilities.
The forum included a visual presentation in Korean, provided by the Oman Air office in Seoul, which outlined how to reach the Sultanate of Oman, accommodation options, and recommended sites to visit. Opportunities for discussion and questions from representatives of Korean companies regarding the desired tourism services were also opened to ensure a distinctive and sustainable tourism experience.
The event concluded with a luncheon featuring a variety of Omani and Arab dishes, as part of the culinary diplomacy initiative to promote Omani national cuisine as a component of Omani identity and to enhance cultural understanding through food.
The Embassy hopes that this initiative will contribute to broader opportunities for tourism and cultural cooperation with the Republic of Korea and strengthen the presence of the Sultanate of Oman on the tourism map, positioning it as a preferred destination for Korean travelers.
