
Oman launches hotel training drive for youth employment
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has signed a partnership agreement to launch a training-for-employment program in hotel reception across various establishments in Dhofar Governorate.
The initiative aims to equip young Omanis with skills for front desk and hotel management roles, reflecting a broader strategy to enhance national employment in the growing tourism sector.
The three-month training will be conducted by the Muscat Hospitality Academy, in affiliation with the internationally accredited Swiss School of Business, Hospitality, and Hotel Management.
This collaboration between the public and private sectors is intended to boost service quality in the hospitality industry while aligning with Oman's vision for sustainable tourism development. The program also supports long-term economic diversification by creating new job opportunities for national talent.
The agreement is part of a broader set of initiatives launched by the Ministry to build a skilled local workforce and support the continued growth of Oman's tourism sector.
— ONA
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Muscat Daily
3 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Community partnership initiative ‘All of Oman' wraps up in Muscat
Muscat – Muscat governorate on Sunday hosted the final stop of the 'All of Oman' initiative, a national programme designed to strengthen community partnership and advance integrated development across the sultanate. The concluding event, held under the patronage of Sayyid Saud bin Hilal al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat, will run for three days at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. 'All of Oman' is a series of public engagement events aimed at involving citizens in shaping the country's long-term vision, Oman Vision 2040. Through meetings, field visits and interactive workshops, the initiative seeks to unify local efforts with national development goals. In his opening remarks, Busaidi said the initiative helps translate the vision's strategies into tangible results. 'It strengthens local development by tapping in-to each governorate's geographic and economic strengths. We give priority to projects that address actual community needs,' he said, adding that the effort aims to raise institutional performance, improve public services and boost community satisfaction. Dr Khamis bin Saif al Jabri, Head of Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, said the initiative reflects genuine community engagement. 'It empowers governorates and promotes decentralisation and sustainability of cities,' he said, noting that workshops helped build government staff capacity and encouraged the exchange of ideas. He also stressed the importance of youth participation in planning the country's future. Fatima bint Khamis al Fazarieh, Head of Planning and Project Management at Muscat governorate, presented an annual development plan, which focuses on investment, renewable energy, market regulation, digital transformation, tourism and community satisfaction. Abdullah bin Nasser al Saidi, General Supervisor of Oman Vision 2040 Communication Programme, outlined the unit's role in coordinating with governorates and aligning with national priorities. Specialised workshops during the event covered governance, development strategies, change management and target-setting, aimed at strengthening planning and project management skills. A key feature of the closing event was an interactive youth meeting, bringing together representatives from academic and youth institutions in Muscat. Participants learnt about recent progress under Vision 2040 and heard success stories, reinforcing the goal of encouraging young Omanis to help shape future projects.


Observer
14 hours ago
- Observer
Oman brings home over 1,300 citizens and expats
Oman has evacuated over 1,188 citizens and 281 other nationals from Iran and its neighbouring countries as part of its humanitarian assistance. On Saturday, 294 Omani citizens landed at Muscat International Airport via Türkiye, along with people from other countries, during the fifth phase of evacuation. The Foreign Ministry thanked all officials, especially those from Türkiye, who contributed to the smooth transfer of people. Speaking to the Observer, Ahmed al Hooti, a journalist with Al Jazeera who was in the fourth phase of evacuation, said that there were hundreds of Omanis in Iranian cities who were tourists, students, medical patients, pilgrims and the efforts of Oman's Foreign Ministry and its embassies in safeguarding the citizens as well as other nationals were laudable. 'The Oman embassy in Iran reached out to Omanis scattered across the country and asked to share their details through social media. They were advised to be prepared to move to the northern side of Iran and everyone did the same. Some were in Mashhad and they continued to stay there only till they got the information on where to move. After 3 days, hundreds of Omanis left Tehran to other cities where the embassy officials were doing documentation and preparation to leave the country through land borders,' said Al Hooti. 'There were no flights hence some people used cars and people like me used taxis. Others used buses which were all arranged by the embassy. The embassy in Tehran did a wonderful job in moving all Omanis to safe places and later they were transferred from borders where they were able to get flights. Also the Omani embassy in Baghdad too did a great job in supporting the stranded Omanis.' Mohammed Rafiq, Mohammed Shafiq, Nourin and Sophia, from India's Kerala state, who had arrived in Iran on a tourist visa, arrived at the Muscat International Airport from Iran via Basra, Iraq on Thursday. The group returned to Oman after receiving Iraqi visas following high-level intervention from the Oman government. "We could see huge columns of smoke and fire billowing out of buildings nearby where we were staying. People were being evacuated from everywhere. When we contacted the Indian Embassy in Iran, the result was disappointing as they told us to follow online updates and to contact them after the weekend," Rafiq said. "However, the Omanis who were with us took us to the Oman Embassy in Tehran. Although they were not bound to board us, the kind-hearted officials as well as the co-passengers succeeded in accepting us as their own citizens. We were given temporary accommodation." Rafiq said that the Omani authorities provided them with temporary facilities until Friday and Saturday; and then asked to approach the Indian Embassy. "We contacted the Indian Embassy, but the response from there was not as expected. Thanks to an Omani citizen who was with us, the authorities again arranged travel facilities for us. With this, we were taken along with the Omanis to Basra in Iraq via Bandar Abbas." The expat family said that they are deeply grateful to the Omanis and the officials of Oman who intervened in their case. — ONA


Muscat Daily
a day ago
- Muscat Daily
Omani cookbook wins two global awards at Gourmand event
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Muscat – Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has won two international awards for its publication The Omani Cuisine at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards held in Lisbon, Portugal. The Gourmand awards are among the most prominent global events celebrating the best books in culinary arts and food culture. The ministry's participation showcased Oman's culinary heritage through its book, produced in collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University. At a ceremony attended by culinary experts and industry figures from around the world, Oman won the 'Best Book in the World' award in the Culinary Diplomacy category and 'Best Cookbook in the World' award in the Intangible Cultural Heritage category. Officials said the achievement highlights efforts to document and promote Omani cuisine as an integral part of the nation's cultural and heritage identity. Asma bint Salem al Hajri, Tourism Promotion Expert at the ministry, said the participation reflects ongoing work to enhance the reputation of Omani cuisine regionally and internationally. She noted that traditional Omani food plays a key role in cultural tourism and showcases the depth of Omani civilisation. The ministry's activities at the event included a visual presentation and a tasting session, giving attendees insight into Omani dishes, their ingredients and preparation. The event was a platform to introduce the diversity and authenticity of Omani food to new audiences and make it a part of the sultanate's tourism offering. Fatima bint Ali al Lawati, Assistant Director for Institutional Planning and member of the Food Tourism and Culinary Arts Programme at the ministry, said the double win demonstrates international appreciation for Oman's culinary arts and intangible heritage. She added that the recognition will encourage further efforts to promote Omani food culture through careful documentation and creative marketing.