Oman plans to double its hotel room capacity over the next five years as part of an effort to grow its tourism industry, Dr. Rajiha Abdul Ameer Ali, the country's Minister of Tourism, told delegates today at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Dubai. While tourism accounted for 2.5% of the country's overall GDP in 2009, the ministry hopes that the figure will increase to 5% in 10 years, she said. The minister was quick to point out that Oman's new hotel capacity is not aimed at attracting mass tourism, but rather mid to high-income travellers who will spend more and stay for longer periods of time. She also noted that Oman is in talks with other countries in the region to set up special travel deals for tourists who wish to visit two or more countries in the Gulf on a single holiday.