Oman wins 1st world prize in environmental tourism- The Sultanate won first global position in environmental tourism, according to German e-paper Berlina Taej Zauton. This was announced at the conclusion of ITB Berlin expo.

The Ministry of Tourism participated with the exhibits of 30 tourist establishments, installations and agencies which market the products and services of the Sultanate as a tourist destination.
The achievement is an added value to the Sultanate’s international stature. The prize was handed over here yesterday to the Sultanate’s delegation which took part in the international exhibition by the chairman of the newspaper’s board, who said that the Sultanate is considered the first country to be awarded such a specialised prize. The prize comes in recognition of the efforts being made by the Sultanate in landscaping and pollution control.

The same paper awarded Al Bustan Palace Hotel the Best International Hotel. The prize was received by Pierre Sabbagh, the Manager of the Hotel, and Daniel Norman, the Regional Marketing Manager of Oman Intercontinental Hotels Group. Another international organisation, Geo Asia, awarded the Sultanate the prize of the Third Best Tourist Destination in the Arab world as part of a poll in which 2,600 experts participated.

Meanwhile, Oman’s pavilion at ITB won the 9th best place globally. Dr Zeinab bint Ali al Qasmiyah, the Sultanate’s ambassador to Germany, expressed her pride over the awards. She added that the Sultanate’s cultural heritage, tourist attractions and modern renaissance have qualified it to occupy such a prominent international position. — ONA