Oman's Tourism Ministry insists it is business as usual for business and leisure travelers to Oman.

Oman's incoming Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Mohsen AI Sheikh says that the reported unrest in Oman is localised and not aimed at visiting tourists who are welcomed by the community and who value tourism as a sustainable activity.

Muscat: Oman's incoming Minister of Tourism His Excellency Mohsen bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Sheikh has used his first day in office to reassure the international travel and tourism trade that the reported unrest in Oman is isolated and not aimed at visitors or the tourism industry.

His Excellency said "my hope is that the travel trade and people interested in visiting Oman understand that the country is a progressive and outward looking state and that localized protests here are of a different nature to those elsewhere in the region. Here, the last thing Omanis want to see is Oman dropping off the tourism radar" he said.

In recent months Oman has won accolades for its brand positioning marketing campaigns and is regarded as among the best performing destinations in the region based on independent brand health surveys and visitor arrival numbers. The Ministry of Tourism is determined that local unrest does not affect the tourism industry's potential.

His Excellency hinted that "the Ministry will bring forward discussions with relevant public and private sector agencies with the aim of introducing a range of measures to reassure the travelers that they are most welcome and it is business as usual in Oman. It is important for travelers know that there is no disruption to tourism facilities or services, or any difficulty with travel within the country" he ended.