Oman’s tourism sector has experienced significant growth, with total investments reaching approximately $6.2 billion by the end of 2024. As part of its economic diversification strategy, the government aims to increase tourism’s contribution to 5.9% of the national GDP by 2040.
This progress was highlighted during the 24th dialogue session hosted by the Omani Economic Association on Tuesday, where industry leaders discussed opportunities, challenges, and strategies for sustainable tourism development.
H.E. Azzan bin Qasim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Tourism at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, noted that the sector has fully recovered from the impact of COVID-19, with key tourism indicators now exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
Oman currently has around 1,000 hotel facilities, reflecting strong expansion in the sector. However, financial challenges persist for private tourism enterprises due to the lingering effects of the pandemic. H.E. Busaidi also highlighted the ministry’s efforts to regulate over 1,500 unlicensed accommodation facilities currently operating in the market.
To attract more international visitors, Oman has reopened its tourism representative office in China, targeting a rapidly growing market. Several major tourism projects are also underway, including developments in Jabal Abyad, Ras Al Hadd, Muttrah Corniche, the sand dunes of North and South Sharqiyah, and Jabal Akhdar.
Dr. Khalid bin Saeed Al Amri, Chairman of the Omani Economic Association, emphasized the increasing contribution of tourism to national revenue and its vital role in economic diversification.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has set ambitious goals for 2025, aiming to raise tourism’s GDP contribution to 2.75% at constant prices, attract $7.8 billion in investments between 2021 and 2025, and expand Oman’s hotel capacity to 33,000 rooms by the end of 2025.
The discussions reinforced the importance of strong public-private partnerships in driving tourism growth. By addressing challenges and seizing new opportunities, Oman seeks to establish itself as a top global tourist destination while fostering sustainable economic development and increasing international visitor numbers.
(Source: Muscat Daily)
