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Oman boosts tourism with visa-free entry for 105 countries, welcoming over 4 million tourists in 2023, enhancing GDP, and investing in major infrastructure projects.

Oman has taken a significant step to boost tourism by offering visa-free entry to citizens of 105 countries, including GCC and Schengen countries. This move has made Oman an attractive destination for both leisure and business travelers, contributing to the influx of over 4 million tourists in 2023, a substantial increase from the previous year. This growth has significantly boosted the nation’s GDP and employment sector. Muscat International Airport, serving as a hub for Oman Air and Salam Air, has seen remarkable traffic growth, enhancing its regional importance. The government’s Vision 2040 outlines a strategic roadmap for sustainable tourism investment, including new airports and integrated tourism complexes. Oman Air, with its excellent on-time performance and diverse fleet, supports this strategy, ensuring a reliable travel experience. These combined efforts position Oman as a leading global travel destination for both leisure and business travelers.

TTW Editor in Chief Mr. Anup Kumar Keshan said: “Oman’s decision to offer visa-free entry to citizens of 105 countries, including GCC and Schengen nations, is a game-changer for the country’s tourism and business travel sectors. This strategic move not only enhances Oman’s appeal as a travel destination but also positions it as a prime location for international business engagements. Coupled with the government’s ambitious Vision 2040, which includes significant investments in infrastructure, such as new airports and integrated tourism complexes, Oman is set to become a leading global hub. The synergy between enhanced accessibility, robust infrastructure development, and a thriving hospitality sector underscores Oman’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and sustainable travel and business environment.”

Tourism Growth in Oman (2023)

The Sultanate of Oman welcomed over 4 million tourists in 2023, marking a 41.2 percent increase from the previous year. Among these visitors, over 600,000 were Indians, and 118,000 were Chinese nationals. The year also saw 2,100,000 guests staying in three to five-star hotels, with 1,600,000 visitors from GCC countries, including 610,000 Indian nationals. Additionally, 231,000 Germans and 150,000 Yemenis visited Oman.

Economic Impact and Future Prospects

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) highlights a positive outlook for Oman’s Travel & Tourism sector, predicting significant growth supported by government initiatives. In 2023, the sector’s GDP contribution surged by nearly 35 percent, reaching USD $7.2814 billion, and is expected to surpass previous records in 2024. Employment in the sector grew by 15 percent, now supporting 191,500 jobs nationwide. International visitors contributed USD $ 2.87 billion to the economy in 2023, a remarkable 69 percent increase from 2022, while domestic traveler spending rebounded to US $ 3.6 billion.

Hospitality Sector Performance

The National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) reported an 18 percent increase in revenues for three to five-star hotels, reaching RO52.38 million by the end of February 2024, up from RO44.41 million in the same period in 2023. Overall guest numbers surged by 18.2 percent, totaling 433,856 by February 2024 compared to 366,969 in February 2023. Hotel occupancy grew by 11.2 percent. Guests from the Americas totaled 14,829, African visitors recorded a 9.7 percent growth to 2,029 guests, Asian visitors increased by 29.5 percent to 54,562, and visitors from Oceania numbered 6,347.

Muscat International Airport (MCT)

Muscat International Airport, formerly Seeb International Airport, is the primary international gateway to Oman. Serving as the hub for Oman Air and the budget airline Salam Air, the airport connects to various regional destinations and offers intercontinental services to Asia, Africa, and Europe.

2023 Traffic Highlights

According to Oman’s National Centre for Statistics and Information, Muscat International Airport experienced significant growth in 2023 compared to 2022:

• Passengers: 12,600,000, a 46.7 percent increase.
• Domestic: 1,100,000, a 14.7 percent increase.
• International: 11,500,000, a 50.7 percent increase.
• Aircraft Movements: 95,325, a 38.7 percent increase.
• Domestic: 8,533, a 5.1 percent increase.
• International: 86,792, a 43.2 percent increase.

Combined Airport Statistics

Data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) showed that total passenger traffic across Muscat International Airport (MCT), Salalah Airport (SLL), Duqm Airport (DQM), and Sohar Airport (OHS) reached 1.4 million, surpassing the previous year’s total of 1.16 million passengers. Among these, MCT saw the highest passenger traffic, accommodating 1.29 million travelers by January 2024, reflecting a robust growth of 22.7 percent.

Oman Air Fleet

Oman Air boasts a diverse and modern fleet designed to cater to various travel needs, ensuring comfort and efficiency for its passengers. The fleet includes Airbus A330-300 and A330-200 aircraft, known for their long-haul capabilities and spacious cabins. Additionally, Oman Air operates Boeing 787-9 and 787-8 Dreamliners, which are celebrated for their fuel efficiency and advanced in-flight amenities. The airline’s fleet also features Boeing 737-8 MAX, 737-900, and 737-800 aircraft, which are primarily used for short to medium-haul routes, providing reliable and comfortable service across its extensive network.

On-Time Performance

In the global airline rankings for on-time performance, Oman Air emerged as the world’s best-performing airline with a 92.3 percent on-time arrival rate. This places it ahead of other notable airlines such as Qatar Airways (85.11 percent) and Saudia (81.29 percent). Colombia’s Avianca led the top 10 listing with an 86.73 percent on-time performance.

Oman Travel & Tourism Market Projections

In Oman, the Travel & Tourism market is expected to generate a revenue of USD$0.54 billion by 2024, with an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2028) of 5.52 percent. This growth is projected to result in a market volume of USD $0.67 billion by 2028. The largest segment within this market is the Hotels sector, which is anticipated to have a market volume of USD $0.23 billion in 2024. By 2028, the number of users in this sector is expected to reach 1,625,000.

Vision 2040 Investment Plans

Oman has unveiled USD $31,000 million in tourism investment plans under its ‘Vision 2040’. The tourism industry is a significant contributor to Oman’s GDP, aligning with the state’s economic diversification strategy. As part of the national tourism strategy 2040, Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism plans to invest USD $5900 million (Dh21.6 billion) in 360 projects. These projects include tourism-friendly initiatives, infrastructure investments, and the development of tourist attractions. The investments also focus on achieving the 2050 net-zero emissions target and preserving heritage sites and monuments.

Airport Expansion

Oman is set to build six new airports, with operations expected to commence between 2028 and 2029. Naif bin Ali al Abri, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, stated that with the completion of these projects, Oman anticipates a significant surge in airport passenger traffic, projected to reach 50,000,000 by 2040 from the current 17,000,000.

Integrated Tourism Licenses

In a bid to bolster its economy, Oman has approved 19 integrated tourism licenses, signaling its intent to invest a substantial USD $11,370 million in the hospitality and real estate sectors. This ambitious plan will lead to the development of major tourism and real estate projects, introducing over 16,500 hotel rooms and 42,500 housing units across the country. These projects are distributed across various regions, including Muscat, Dhofar, South Al Sharqiyah, South Al Batinah, and Musandam.

Investment in Tourism Complexes

Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has granted licenses for integrated tourism complexes, which include 81 hotel facilities with 16,576 hotel rooms, 2,552 apartment hotels and villas, and 42,617 housing units. These complexes also feature golf courses, harbors, restaurants, cafes, and shops. The total investment in these projects is estimated at approximately OR4.376 billion ($11,370 million) for complexes under implementation and OR3.12 billion ($8,100 million) for other licensed projects in the pre-implementation phase.

List of countries can visit Oman visa free:

• Kazakhstan
• Guatemala
• Lebanon
• Uzbekistan
• Mauritania
• Laos
• United States
• Iran
• Romania
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Thailand
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Ireland
• Panama
• Moldova
• Colombia
• Japan
• Venezuela
• Seychelles
• Finland
• India
• French Guinea
• Lithuania
• South Africa
• Serbia
• Spain
• Tajikistan
• Bulgaria
• Jordan
• Cyprus
• France
• Brazil
• Suriname
• Portugal
• Vatican
• Uruguay
• San Marino
• Netherlands
• Belarus
• Bolivia
• New Zealand
• Albania
• Azerbaijan
• Singapore
• Maldive Islands
• Egypt
• Monaco
• Turkey
• Sweden
• Ukraine
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Poland
• Australia
• Ecuador
• Bhutan
• Iceland
• Malaysia
• Macedonia
• Kyrgyzstan
• Cuba
• Andorra
• Germany
• Costa Rica
• Belgium
• Indonesia
• Greece
• Malta
• Vietnam
• Norway
• Latvia
• Turkmenistan
• Tunisia
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• Brunei Darussalam
• Nicaragua
• Chile
• Liechtenstein
• Austria
• Paraguay
• Canada
• Slovenia
• El Salvador
• Algeria
• Russia
• Peru
• Georgia
• Estonia
• Morocco
• Croatia
• Luxembourg
• United Kingdom
• Slovakia
• Mexico
• China (includes Hong Kong and Macau)
• Honduras
• Italy
• Hungary

Citizens of the GCC countries are allowed to enter Oman without the need for a visa. This policy facilitates easier travel for residents of these countries, promoting tourism and business opportunities within the region. Here’s the GCC country list:

1. Kingdom of Bahrain
2. State of Kuwait
3. State of Qatar
4. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
5. United Arab Emirates

Conclusion

Oman’s strategic initiatives, including visa-free entry for citizens of 105 countries and substantial investments in tourism infrastructure, have positioned it as a premier destination for both leisure and business travelers. The remarkable growth in tourist arrivals and economic contributions underscores the success of these efforts. With the support of Muscat International Airport and Oman Air, the nation is well-equipped to handle increasing traffic and provide a world-class travel experience. As Oman continues to implement its Vision 2040, it stands poised to achieve unprecedented heights in the global tourism industry, offering a unique blend of cultural heritage, modern amenities, and exceptional hospitality.

Top 5 Tourist Spots in Oman

• Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
  One of the largest mosques in the world, featuring stunning Islamic architecture and home to one of the world’s largest chandeliers and handwoven carpets.
• Wadi Shab
  A picturesque canyon offering scenic hikes, natural pools, and waterfalls, making it a popular destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers.
• Nizwa Fort
  A historical fort dating back to the 17th century, known for its massive cylindrical tower and panoramic views of the surrounding oasis and mountains.
• Jebel Shams
  Known as the “Mountain of the Sun,” this is Oman’s highest peak and offers breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon of Oman, perfect for hiking and sightseeing.
• Royal Opera House Muscat
  A cultural landmark showcasing Oman’s commitment to the arts, featuring world-class performances and exquisite architecture.