Oman intends to supervise investments worth $31 billion in its tourism sector by 2040, as indicated by Azzan Qassim Al Busaidi, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.
This announcement preceded the ITB Berlin travel exhibition. Al Busaidi highlighted that Oman experienced a record-breaking influx of visitors last year, with numbers reaching 4 million, up from 2.9 million in 2022, marking an increase of nearly 38 percent.
Among these visitors, 231,000 were from Germany, reflecting a remarkable surge of 182 percent compared to the previous year. Al Busaidi emphasized the Ministry's commitment to fostering an environment conducive to the growth and prosperity of tourism. This involves simplifying visa procedures and relaxing restrictions for citizens from over 100 countries. Additionally, investments are being made in infrastructure and tourist attractions to enhance the visitor experience.
Al Busaidi stated, "We have ambitious plans for our tourism sector, with over 360 projects currently receiving investments totaling more than $5.9 billion." He underscored Oman's commitment to its 2050 Net-Zero target, promoting sustainable practices, and preserving heritage sites and historical monuments.
The Ministry aims to achieve a total investment of $31 billion by 2040. Haitham Mohammed Al Ghassani, the Director-General of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry, highlighted that the upcoming exhibition will feature exhibits from 70 government and private sector entities across an area of 800 square meters. Additionally, there will be two additional galleries dedicated to promoting adventure tourism and showcasing Oman's culinary expertise.
Al Ghassani noted that in 2023, the Sultanate of Oman witnessed a surge in inbound tourism, with the number of tourists reaching 4 million by the end of the year, compared to 3.5 million in 2019.
