Ithraa event in Oman to debate tourism, economy, logistics

Muscat: Is Oman promoting local produce; how can the country improve its waste management and logistics sector and attract tourists in times of austerity? These are some of the questions that will be debated upon at Ithraa’s ‘Inside Stories’ event next month.
“The four evenings are designed to get the word out that there are significant investment and career opportunities available now and in the future for people interested in Oman’s tourism, manufacturing, logistics and waste management. This will help raise the Sultanate’s reputation as a destination for enterprise,” said Sajda Al Ghaithi, Ithraa’s media director and organiser of the annual Inside Stories initiative.
First up at the event will be ‘Hyper local Tourism’ on September 19 and next would be ‘Made in Oman’ on September 21. These will be followed by ‘Urban Logistics’ on September 26 and finally ‘The Circular Economy’ will be held on September 28. All the events will be held at Bank Muscat’s head office in Airport Heights and are open to the public.
Panellists include Khalid Al Yahmadi, chief executive officer (CEO), Asaas; Mazin Al Khoury, investment director, Tourism and Culture, Oman Investment Fund; Shadia Al Ismaili, founder, Deema Oman; Graham Lesley, CEO, Al Siraj Hospitality; Chris Clark, international business development manager, MedServ; Ali Thabet, DHL country manager; Sheikh Rashid Al Saadi, CEO, National Investment Funds Company; Sheikh Mohammed Al Harthy, executive vice president, Strategic Development, Be’ah; Abdullah Al Wahaibi, business development manager, Voltamp Energy; Dr. Mahad Al Mashani from Sultan Qaboos University; and Dr. Steve Halls, senior environmental expert, Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs.
The latest edition of Inside Stories will commence on Monday, September 19, with a five-person ‘Hyper-local Tourism’ panel.
“The demand for hyper-local tourism activities is on the rise. Whether it is climbing mountains, crossing deserts, sailing, relaxing on a beach or shopping, tourists want an authentic experience. In fact, there is a staggering number of travellers, who are looking for offbeat locations to get the local, unique real-life experience, a market worth around $140 billion globally,” explained Ithraa’s Al Ghaithi.
Organised by Ithraa, Oman’s inward investment and export development agency, and supported by BP and Bank Muscat, the Inside Stories event is a series of four informal evening talks that bring together some of Oman’s most inspirational and innovative business people and civil servants.