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India and Oman Join Forces to Revolutionize Travel – New Tourism Deals You Won’t Want to Miss!

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August 23, 2025

In a bid to further strengthen its position in the international tourism sector, the Sultanate of Oman wrapped up its latest series of tourism promotional workshops in India on Saturday, August 23, 2025. The workshops, organized by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, focused on bolstering ties with Indian tourism companies and promoting Oman as an attractive destination for Indian travelers. These workshops, which saw the participation of 25 Omani tourism establishments, marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation between Oman and India, two nations with a shared vision of growing their tourism sectors.

The sessions were an integral part of Oman’s strategy to attract diverse tourist segments from key markets around the globe. With India being one of the highest exporters of tourism traffic to Oman, these workshops served as an ideal platform to highlight the Sultanate’s diverse offerings. The aim was to showcase Oman’s rich cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and modern tourist infrastructure while meeting the evolving preferences of Indian travelers.

In this highly engaging event, over 150 Indian companies and representatives from specialized media outlets gathered to learn more about Oman’s tourism assets. These promotional efforts are a testament to the growing interest in Oman’s tourism market, not only from Indian tourists but from travelers worldwide. The workshops emphasized Oman’s competitiveness as a top-tier travel destination, with a special focus on offering tailored experiences to Indian visitors.

The Significance of These Workshops for Oman’s Tourism Sector

Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism’s workshops in India are a vital component of a larger, ongoing global marketing campaign. These workshops aim to showcase Oman’s tourism potential, highlighting the Sultanate as a top-tier destination for both leisure and business travelers. With India being one of Oman’s key source markets, strengthening ties with Indian tourism companies plays a pivotal role in Oman’s broader goal of increasing inbound tourism.

Key Objectives of the Promotional Workshops:

  • Enhance Joint Cooperation: The workshops brought together Omani tourism providers and Indian tourism businesses to discuss ways to collaborate more effectively and develop joint marketing strategies.
  • Target Indian Tourists: Specific attention was given to understanding the preferences and needs of Indian tourists, ensuring Oman’s tourism offerings align with these demands.
  • Showcase Tourism Assets: Presentations from Omani tourism companies highlighted the country’s diverse tourism assets, including cultural, adventure, and luxury tourism experiences.

A Platform for Strengthening Bilateral Relationships

The workshops proved to be an excellent platform for facilitating bilateral discussions and forging partnerships between Oman and Indian tourism companies. These collaborations focus on creating innovative tourism packages that appeal to the Indian market while ensuring that Oman maintains a competitive edge in the regional tourism sector.

  • Bilateral Meetings: A series of one-on-one meetings between representatives from both countries enabled participants to engage in meaningful conversations about growing their businesses and providing better services to tourists.
  • Exclusive Offers for the Indian Market: Special attention was given to the creation of tailored tourism packages and offers designed specifically for Indian travelers. This move aligns with Oman’s strategic efforts to target growing middle-class segments in India, looking for affordable yet enriching travel experiences abroad.

Raising Awareness of Oman as a Comprehensive Tourism Destination

Oman’s growing tourism infrastructure, complemented by its rich cultural and historical heritage, makes it an ideal destination for travelers seeking unique experiences. The workshops highlighted Oman’s commitment to diversifying its tourism offerings, which include:

  • Luxury Resorts & Hotels: With world-class accommodations and state-of-the-art facilities, Oman is positioned as a leading destination for luxury tourism.
  • Cultural Tourism: Oman’s ancient history and cultural wealth, including landmarks like the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the Al Jalali and Al Mirani forts, offer a perfect blend of heritage tourism.
  • Adventure Tourism: Oman’s diverse landscapes, from vast deserts to rugged mountains, make it an excellent destination for adventure tourism enthusiasts. Hiking, trekking, and camping are popular activities.
  • Coastal Tourism: Oman’s pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, such as those in Muscat, Salalah, and the Musandam Peninsula, attract tourists interested in water sports and relaxation.

The Role of Media and Marketing in Promoting Oman

The participation of Indian media outlets in the promotional workshops was a key factor in raising awareness about Oman’s tourism sector. Indian media representatives play a crucial role in disseminating information about Oman’s tourism offerings, creating a buzz among potential travelers.

  • Media Involvement: The presence of media outlets covering the workshops helped ensure that the information presented to attendees reached a broader audience. Through articles, interviews, and social media posts, the message of Oman as a growing tourism destination was effectively communicated.
  • Strategic Marketing Campaigns: The workshops formed part of a larger marketing campaign to enhance Oman’s visibility in global markets, particularly in India, one of the fastest-growing outbound tourism markets in Asia.

The Future of Oman’s Tourism Industry

The conclusion of these workshops marks a significant achievement in Oman’s tourism promotional efforts. By building stronger relationships with Indian tourism stakeholders, Oman positions itself as an accessible, attractive, and diverse destination. The Sultanate’s commitment to product innovation and customer-centric experiences is expected to yield positive results in the years to come.

As global tourism continues to evolve, Oman is setting a strong foundation to capitalize on emerging trends and attract a wider range of tourists. The Sultanate’s efforts in organizing workshops in markets like India align with its broader vision to transform the tourism sector into a key driver of economic growth and diversification.

Key Takeaways from the Workshops:

  • Collaborative Opportunities: These workshops paved the way for deeper collaborations between Omani and Indian tourism companies, allowing for joint ventures and customized tourism products.
  • Understanding Market Demands: By engaging directly with the Indian market, Oman gained invaluable insights into the preferences and demands of Indian travelers, enabling the creation of tailor-made offerings.
  • Sustainable Tourism Growth: The focus on creating integrated experiences that combine cultural, adventure, and luxury tourism aligns with Oman’s long-term sustainability goals in the tourism sector.

Conclusion

The successful conclusion of the tourism promotional workshops in India signifies Oman’s unwavering commitment to positioning itself as a premier destination for international travelers. The growing interest in Omani tourism from India marks the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral tourism relations between the two nations. By leveraging partnerships, marketing initiatives, and the creation of targeted tourism offerings, Oman is well on its way to becoming one of the most sought-after destinations for Indian travelers and beyond.

These workshops were just the beginning of a long-term strategy aimed at further elevating Oman’s status on the global tourism map, ensuring that its rich heritage, stunning landscapes, and modern amenities continue to attract tourists from around the world.



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Flood and Rain Alert in India: Places you should avoid travelling right now!

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Mumbai

Mumbai, every year faces challenges during the monsoons. And this year too, the state is experiencing heavy rainfalls, causing waterlogging, traffic, and travel delays. The IMD forecasts continued heavy spells over the next few days so it is suggested to avoid travel through flooded regions.



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Agoda Reports 68% Growth in Travel Interest from India to Japan

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New Delhi  – Indian travelers are showing increasing interest in Japan, with Agoda data revealing a 68% year-on-year increase in searches between 15 May and 15 August 2025, compared to the same period last year.

Among the most searched destinations, Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto lead the list, recording growth of 59%, 158%, and 53% year-on-year respectively. Osaka stood out with the highest uptick in travel interest, underlining its rising popularity for city experiences and proximity to attractions such as Universal Studios Japan and Nara deer park.

Beyond the top three, Agoda’s data revealed rising interest from Indian travelers in Japanese destinations including Fujikawaguchiko (+36%) and Sapporo (+18%) in the top five, followed by Hakone (+46%), Okinawa (+47%), Fukuoka (+14%), Yokohama (+20) and Nagoya (+41%) rounding out the top ten. Notably, Nagoya entered the top ten for the first time this year, replacing Narita.

Agoda’s latest data reveals that Indian travelers are showing growing interest in a wider variety of Japanese destinations. In addition to traditional urban favorites, many of the top choices, such as Fujikawaguchiko, Hakone, and Sapporo, are celebrated for their scenic landscapes and leisure experiences, indicating a growing preference for nature and relaxation. Others, like Okinawa and Fukuoka, offer unique cultural and coastal experiences. This trend highlights a shift toward discovering a broader variety of Japan’s diverse regions, from mountain retreats to vibrant cities and coastal escapes.

Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands, said, “Japan’s mix of modern cities, cultural heritage, and natural beauty is striking a chord with Indian travelers like never before. What we are seeing is that travelers are not only choosing traditional hotspots like Tokyo but are also exploring beyond, with Osaka and other cities quickly gaining popularity. Families can enjoy theme parks and kid-friendly attractions, couples can chase romantic escapes in Kyoto and Hakone, while groups of friends can opt for leisure getaways in places like Okinawa. At Agoda, we’re making it easier to plan these journeys end-to-end, with convenient choices for flights, stays, and curated experiences across Japan.”

The demand also reflects broader travel trends, with greater flight connectivity, simplified visa processes, and rising interest in experiential travel driving demand. From city discovery in Tokyo to cultural immersion in Kyoto, relaxing hot springs in Hakone, and scenic escapes around Mount Fuji, Japan is firmly establishing itself as a must-visit destination for Indian travelers planning both short breaks and longer holidays.



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Ganesh Chaturthi Special: Meet Parbati Barua, The Assam Royal Who Broke Barriers As India’s First Lady Mahout And Is Called ‘Daughter Of Elephants’ | Travel

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Ganesh Chaturthi Special: Meet Parbati Barua, The Assam Royal Who Broke Barriers As India’s First Lady Mahout And Is Called ‘Daughter Of Elephants’. Credit: Facebook

As India prepares for Ganesh Chaturthi 2025, welcoming Lord Ganesha, who is revered as the remover of obstacles and the symbol of wisdom, there is perhaps no better time to reflect on the extraordinary life of a woman whose work embodies the spirit of the festival. She is Parbati Barua, India’s first female mahout, widely known as the Hasti Kanya or “Daughter of Elephants.”

For more than five decades, Parbati Barua has devoted her life to taming, caring for, and conserving elephants—breaking through the gender stereotypes of a field historically reserved for men. Her journey is not only a story of courage, but also an example of India’s deep cultural and spiritual reverence for elephants as well as indigenous knowledge.

For more than five decades, Parbati Barua has devoted her life to taming, caring for, and conserving elephants

A Wild Calling

Born on March 14, 1953, into the royal family of Gauripur in Assam, Parbati was the daughter of Late Prakritish Chandra Barua, the last ruler of Gauripur, who was both a hunter and an elephant expert with nearly 40 elephants in his royal stables. While her lineage and education—she graduated in Political Science from Gauhati University—might have suggested a path in academia or public life, her destiny lay elsewhere.

At just 14 years old, Parbati domesticated her first elephant in the Kochugaon forest of Assam. From 1975 to 1978, she successfully tamed 14 wild elephants using the traditional Assamese technique of Mela Shikar, where elephants are captured with a lasso rather than tranquilizers. Over the course of her career, she has trained more than 500 elephants.

At just 14 years old, Parbati domesticated her first elephant in the Kochugaon forest of Assam

Of Conservation & Care

Parbati Barua’s contributions extend far beyond taming. She has worked alongside forest departments in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh, offering her expertise in training mahouts, resolving human-elephant conflicts, and treating injured or ailing elephants with herbal remedies. In an interview with the New Indian Express, when asked whether elephants are better than human beings, she promptly said, “Hundred per cent. Human beings can be cruel. Also, like humans, each elephant has a unique personality. There are introverted and extroverted elephants. There are leaders and followers. Some are very social. Most are benevolent and kind-hearted, and have enormous patience. Only when they reach the limit of their patience do they get angry. They love children, and will never harm them.”

Parbati Barua has tamed elephants using traditional methods like Mela Shikar, which involves capturing wild elephants without tranquilisers

Her skills have been sought not just in India but internationally. She has represented India at global conferences on elephants, from Bangkok in 2001 to workshops in Tamil Nadu, Jaldapara, and North Bengal, and contributed research on the status of Asiatic elephants. She also served as a member of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

A Lifetime Of Recognition

For her tireless work, Parbati Barua has been honoured with numerous awards:

In 2024, Parbati was also honoured with a Padma Shri for her contributions to the welfare of elephants
  1. Global 500 Roll of Honour (1989) from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
  2. Honorary Chief Elephant Warden of Assam (2003), conferred by the Assam government.
  3. Asom Gaurav Award (2023), Assam’s highest civilian honour.
  4. Lifetime Achievement recognitions from wildlife and conservation groups, including Nature’s Warrior Jury Award (2023).

In 2024, Parbati was also honoured with a Padma Shri for her contributions to the welfare of elephants and the indelible mark she left on India’s conservation story.

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