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Rania Khodr says that Oman tourism looks to be

picking up in France, and is less affected by the huge wave of events than some of the Arab countries. The French President

will visit the Sultanate later this year, and hopefully this

will have a great positive influence.

TourismTourism

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Les Etoiles d’Oman

Rania Khodr

Liju Cherian“THE Sultanate is definitely the Pearl of the Orient. The variety of landscapes and the kindness of its people make all its particularity. A real little gem, a destination with many facets, in short, the full magic eyes..!” says Mia Budimir, from GR Tourism in Paris, after her visit to Wadi Bani Khalid.THIRTEEN best travel agents from France travelled

to Oman in January on a familiarization (FAM) trip as part of ‘The Stars of Oman 2016.’ This is the new E-learning training tool for travel agents and tour operators organized by the Oman Tourism Office in France. ‘The Stars of Oman’ (Les Etoiles d’Oman) is

so called because Oman skyline is dotted with thousands of stars, kilometers of coastline, desert offering landscapes of mountains up to 3,000 meters, presenting the visitor through millions of benevolent smiles.The travel agents were required to take up five

steps namely completing the modules, assist a full

day seminar, receive ‘Oman certified’ diploma and sales challenge to win a place on FAM trip to Oman. Those who completed the program got themselves to be ‘The Stars of Oman’.Rania Khodr, Director, Oman Tourism, France

Office, admits that though the tourism sector badly suffered in France due to terror attacks in 2014 and 2015, the 2016 offered hope after gloomy years. “I am happy to note that Oman tourism looks to be picking up in France, and is less affected by the huge wave of events than some of the Arab countries. The French President will visit the Sultanate later this year, and hopefully this will have a great positive influence,” she adds.Rania says that though the French market is a

difficult market, being the number one visited country in the world, and having all the possibilities to stay in France all year round, still they had a very good increase in visitors to Oman compared to other countries in Europe, UK, Germany, Italy who have daily flights to Oman. Despite challenges, a host of events have been planned in in France since

January 2016 to promote Oman’s tourism.Christelle Bertin, from Athalia Look Travel, who

was the first travel agent to be certified, says after her visit she discovered a beautiful country with its magnificent scenery which is unusual. “What I liked about my stay in Oman was the friendliness of the people and the atmosphere of serenity that exudes it. It’s a destination that will delight you.”Naoual Hassani, Oman Air France station, Omar

al Jabri, International Offices, Department Tourism Promotion, Ministry of Tourism, and Leslie Rigal, accompanied the FAM trip from Jabal al Akdhar, the desert, Muscat and to Salalah.Leslie Rigal, who was in-charge of promotion,

says the travel agents have since been in constant touch with the Ministry of Tourism and have already sold five trips to Oman. This includes among other activities like the popular shop window decoration projects of Oman.Another ‘Star of Oman’, Nadia About Merhi, from

Celtea Voyages à Rennes, says “For me Oman is the land of 1001 Nights, of 1001 experiences. Oman represents the Middle-East in all its diversity and its kindness, openness and tolerance.”The travel agents, who successfully completed the

online training programme, provided an opportunity to experience the Omani hospitality and get acquainted with the local culture.The travel agents, who completed the theory

part of the module, were selected from different regions of France to discover the natural and cultural heritage of Oman on a six-night trip. The trip covered all the must visit places in Oman, including a trip to the beautiful village of Birkat Al Mawz,

followed by a journey up the curvaceous road to reach Al Jabal Al Akhdar.The eager visitors spent time in the villages of Saiq,

Wadi Bani Habib (the village of the old houses) and Al Ayn that dot the landscape to get a spectacular view of the dramatic peaks, gorges and wadis.The other ‘Stars of Oman’ who made it include

Marine Camensuli, Kuoni from Univairmer Lyon and Sandra Schuler from Horse Travels, travelled to Muscat and experienced the beaches, landscapes while Leach Cohin from Examonde in Le Pecq and Nathalie LaRoche from Dream Travels experienced the desert Sharqiyah sands. While Audrey Lemarie, from the Travel Agency Map of Plaisir made it to Nizwa and to the Dhofar Governorate went Nicolas from Corinne agency and Hellen Raynal from Chauchard Evasion.Some of the other to-do things on the itinerary

included visit to Nizwa to see the famous Round Tower Fort and the souq; dune driving at Al Sharqiyah sands; exploring Sur and its various mesmerising beaches and wadis and gaining insights into the Omani history while in Salalah.Véronique Delaval, from Carol Travels who

visited Khor Rori, Salalah, feels that Oman is the explosion of the senses, beautiful scenery, the smell of incense and spices, music and songs, the succulence of its gastronomy and its soft fabrics.”The travellers also enjoyed an opera performance

‘Lucia Di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti’ at the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM), visited the exquisite Grand Mosque and discovered what goes into the making of traditional frankincense.The next selection for the ‘Stars of Oman’ will be in 2017.

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