• The 3rd Global Geotourism Conference will be held in Oman from 30 October to 1 November 2011, attracting up 300 delegates including tourism experts and international agencies.
• Co-Conveners, Oman’s Tourism Ministry and Professor Ross Dowling, Advisor, UNESCO Global Network of National Geoparks see geotourism as an emerging segment that will add value to the Sultanate’s tourism strategy and draw attention to Oman as a leading geotourism destination in its own right.
• Mohammad Ali Bin Said, Oman’s Tourism’s Acting Undersecretary says the conference will showcase Oman’s outstanding geological features and provide an important industry development opportunity.

Oman’s Tourism Ministry will host the 3rd Global Geotourism Conference at the Grand Hyatt Muscat, Oman from 30 October to 1 November 2011. The conference will be co-convened by the Ministry of Tourism and Professor Ross Dowling from Edith Cowan University in Western Australia, and is expected to attract around 300 delegates including international tourism specialists and agencies.

Mohammad Ali Bin Said, Oman Tourism’s Acting Undersecretary said that “Oman’s high natural values are a core element of Oman’s tourism strategy and few destinations can match the power and diversity of Oman’s landscapes, so we are delighted to host this event” he said.

Oman’s Tourism Ministry is delighted to be able to secure the conference for the Sultanate and offers the conference and its associated events free to delegates as an opportunity to showcase Oman’s geotourism potential and for local tourism industry to share experiences with international geotourism experts and operators. Mohammad Bin Ali Said commented that “The Ministry hopes that interested people overseas, our tourism students and industry partners will jump at the opportunity and attend, learn about geotourism and network with the world leaders. It is a great opportunity”.

Co-convener Ross Dowling said “Geotourism is an emerging international segment. More people are travelling to see and learn about remarkable landscapes and geological features. As well, providing easily understood geological information adds to the visitor experience in other segments like trekking and road touring for example. The high calibre of confirmed conference speakers, including those from the IUCN, UNESCO and universities demonstrates growing interest in many aspects of geotourism” he continued.

In keeping with this, the theme chosen for the Muscat conference is ‘Seeing destinations differently’. The Ministry will use the conference to launch several geotourism trails in the Muscat area, with tour information and navigation able to be viewed on 3G telephones.

As a frequent visitor to Oman, Professor Dowling continued "I am sure attending the conference and seeing Oman will give others the same enjoyment I have had travelling the length and breadth of Oman. It’s a peaceful and culturally vibrant destination, and one the world's leading geotourism destinations. You must see it first-hand to feel its powerful landscapes and the warmth of hospitality shown of Omani people".