Oman ranked among top emerging business events hubs

For the first time, Oman has been ranked in the top 100 countries worldwide for the meetings & conventions industry by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). The Sultanate has also been classed in
the top 25 countries in the Asia Pacific-Middle East Region. Founded in 1963 and comprising almost 1,000 members, ICCA is one of the most prominent global organisations in the international meetings business.
“That Oman has been ranked in this leading international index at this point is, without a doubt, a significant achievement and a great endorsement of Oman’s business events industry,” noted Trevor McCartney, General Manager of the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC). “ICCA is a globally authoritative body and its rankings are hugely influential in the competitive meetings and conventions industry; it proves that
Oman is a serious contender on the global meetings stage. As part of ‘Team Oman’, the OCEC team is working relentlessly alongside the Ministry of Tourism in promoting Oman as a formidable international events hub and the OCEC as its world-class flagship venue. I greatly look forward to seeing Oman realise its full potential with the opening of the OCEC” added McCartney.“Oman has been investing heavily in infrastructure, research and marketing over the last few years, so we at ICCA are not surprised that the country is now climbing our rankings. This sector requires long-term commitment, strategic thinking, and careful targeting, and we know that our members in Oman have been making great use of ICCA’s research tools and database, so that this should be just the beginning of the country’s journey to
become established as a strong international association meetings destination.” Martin In line with Oman’s blueprints for economic development Vision 2020 and Vision 2040, the OCEC will generate considerable revenue as a powerful player in the business events industry. Even more importantly, as one of the world’s leading intellectual hubs, the Centre will support sectors of established economic importance to the Sultanate,
such as oil and gas, health, education, IT, logistics, transportation, manufacturing and fisheries, attracting industry leaders and decision makers and generating investment in
Ahead of the opening of the OCEC, ICCA ranks Oman 79th out of 100 countries worldwide and 21st out of 25 countries in the Asia Pacific-Middle East Region. With the opening of the OCEC, Oman’s rankings are fully expected to rise.

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