GDS workshop held to enhance tourism in Oman

Oman News Agency shared that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism organized a workshop on Global Distribution Systems (GDS) for reservations. The opening of the workshop was held under the patronage of Azzan Qassim Ali Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism. The workshop aims to propel the tourism industry in the Sultanate of Oman towards new horizons by increasing bookings in Omani hotels and enabling tourism establishments to leverage these systems in attracting a larger number of visitors to their facilities. GDS systems are central booking platforms that provide travel agents from various countries with real-time access to tourism services, such as flight and hotel rates, car rentals, and other essential traveler products. These systems serve as a crucial link between travel service providers (hotels) and reservation sources (travel agents), allowing them to efficiently manage bookings and distribute their offerings on a global scale.

This workshop is part of the implementation of several initiatives and programmes aimed at promoting the Sultanate of Oman as a tourist destination while ensuring a prosperous future for the hotel sector in the country. The event brought together numerous hotel establishments in the Sultanate of Oman, with the presence of two major providers of Global Distribution Systems (GDS) services: Travelport and Amadeus. Representatives of these platforms had a unique opportunity to present their innovative solutions by facilitating direct communication between service providers and the hospitality sector in Oman across its various categories. The Ministry seeks to enhance Oman’s presence in the global tourism market and boost revenue flows in line with the Omani tourism strategy and comprehensive tourism development plan.

In this regard, Haitham Al Ghassani, Director General of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, stated, “The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism recognizes the positive impact that the hospitality sector in the Sultanate of Oman will gain from participating in these platforms. Integrating hotels into these global platforms offer a multitude of benefits, including expanding the reach to a wide network of travel agencies and online booking platforms, leading to a significant increase in reservations from around the world. This contributes to higher occupancy rates and an overall enhancement of the hospitality sector in the Sultanate of Oman. Additionally, GDS systems simplify the booking process for both travel agents and tourist hotels, providing a seamless and efficient booking experience that enables international visitors to explore the tourism potential of the Sultanate of Oman.”