Oman is learning the Dubai method

It is a well-known fact that the voice of the collective over the voice of the few carries a tremendous amount more of weight and purpose.

As I sit in the lounge at Muscat International Airport I’m reflecting on a number of interesting conversations I’ve had during the past couple of days, on the development and future prospects of the Oman golf industry.

Oman has for some time now positioned itself as an upcoming tourist destination.

Although the development process is not as dynamic as its neighbouring UAE and projects have encountered a number of large hurdles along the way (none bigger than producing a viable water source), progress is still being made on a number of Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITC’s) all along the east coast.

There will be more hurdles along the road for all golf clubs and resorts in the country and no doubt the greatest one will be people.

In Dubai the "build it and they will come" mentality has proved to be well founded, however Oman, being a much more understated nation, will need to work a little harder.

I believe very strongly that the key to the success of their golf tourism is the ability for all golf clubs and golf resorts to pull together resources and their collective minds, and promote Oman as a destination and not as individual and insular products.

The government has a huge supporting role to play and will need to embrace the benefits that the game brings to the entire economy of cities, regions and in many cases – entire countries.

DTCM, Dubai Golf and Golf in Dubai have all made significant contributions to the establishment of the Dubai golf industry and Oman can learn a great deal from the scores of initiatives that all Dubai clubs have participated in over the last 20 years.

It has been exceptionally gratifying to learn that key people involved in many of Oman’s new ventures are willing to join hands and work together – let’s hope that this intent and desire grows stronger, and a healthy future for the tourism industry lies ahead.