A bright future is being predicted for tourism in Oman, according to a report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) reveals huge year-on-year growth across the sector in the Sultanate, with jobs, visitor spending, and GDP contribution all set to soar further in the next decade, the researchers predict.
In 2023, travel and tourism accounted for an astonishing 35% more of Oman’s GDP than in 2022, reaching OMR 2.8BN (EUR 6.7BN). Jobs in the industry grew by 15%, with 191,500 people working in travel and tourism across the country. Most remarkable is the increase in international visitor spend, up a whopping 69% to OMR 1.1BN (EUR 2.65 BN).
“Historic revival” over next decade
Amid 25% growth for the travel and tourism in the Middle East region as a whole, and with strategic and economic investment from the Omani government driving the sector forward, the WTTC analysts predict the trendlines will continue to tell a positive story for Oman – a story reinforced when Oman co-hosted ITB Berlin, the world’s biggest travel event earlier in 2024.
The WTTC predictions of an “historic revival” of Oman’s tourism sector include its revenues contributing over OMR 3.3BN by the end of 2024, accounting for 7.6% of the nation’s GDP. That figure is set to rise to just under 10% over the next decade, the global tourism body says. By 2034, the researchers say, the sector could employ well over a quarter of a million people all over the country, equating to one in 13 residents working in travel and tourism.
“Robust support” from government
Julia Simpson, WTTC President and CEO notes “The Oman Government is a strong support of Travel & Tourism and is aiming to achieve unprecedented economic growth and job creation.”
That commitment has been underlined by Dr. Hashil Al Mahrouqi, CEO of OMRAN Group, the Sultanate’s leading executive arm for tourism development, who said the success of the sector is a result of “the robust support of [the] Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and Oman Investment Authority, and their commitment to realising the industry’s potential through strategic enablers and developments across the country.”
Similarly to other Gulf countries, Oman has developed a plan for diversifying its economy, investing more in sustainability and tourism, in accordance with the Oman Vision 2040. Those developments include the creation of a new destination in the Al Jabal Al Akhdar mountain range.
“Committed to responsible tourism”
As Oman seeks to diversify its economy away from oil in line with Oman Vision 2040, and alongside other Gulf states, the country will “remain committed to responsible tourism development and promoting Oman as a premier travel destination through our ‘Visit Oman’ brand and digital distribution solutions,” Al Mahrouqi went on, “with the ultimate goal of fostering Oman’s socio-economic growth.”
