Cultural tourism: Challenges and opportunities (A conceptual paper-sultanate of Oman)

In the era of globalization, tourism sector has developed many folds and the many countries are trying hard to capture the tourism market. Oman being country known for its culture and hospitality could be potential destination for cultural tourism. The present paper makes an attempt to examine the Challenges and Opportunities in promoting cultural tourism, how cultural factors can be driving force to transform Oman as a better tourism destination. Globalization has made its impact all over the world and OMAN in not un-touched by it, The Government has taken up various steps to steep up its tourism sector and wanting to be in race as a favorite designation in the gulf region. Never the less the challenges are numerous ahead and tough competition from existing destination from other gulf regions, acceptance of cultural acceptance for visitors, building a image as a best choice destination among the tourist and visitors is never going to be an easy road towards success. But with a given infrastructural developments, the support from the Government, the uniqueness of culture and heritage, the OMAN could be a favorite destination in times to come.

This paper provides an understanding with regard to culture, heritage and its uniqueness of places that could be a prospective destination for people and that could turn on the destination image. The present paper will give an insight how promotion techniques could build Oman as preferred tourism destination and can attractive more number of tourists and enhance its competitiveness location wise and stakeholders to invest in as well.