Oman's first passenger cruise terminal opened Friday at Port Sultan Qaboos with Costa Deliziosa as the first liner to call.
The approximately 10,826-square-foot terminal will feature an automatic Radio Identification System, Direction Finder and CCTVs.
The ground floor of the terminal is home to arrival and departure halls, immigration, coffee shop, internet cafe, tourism office, shipping and travel agencies, baggage counter and customs. A money changer and ATM are expected shortly.
This marks a huge step for Oman tourism, however there is still more that needs to be done. Saud bin Ahmed Al Nahari, CEO of Port Services Corporation says "More hotel rooms need to be made available along with better air connectivity. If more destinations are added more passengers will disembark in Oman for extended stay. This will substantially benefit the national economy."
Oman is expecting over 300,000 tourists to arrive at the port this year.
