Muscat: Residents of Oman are allocating at least a 10% increase in their travel expenditures for the current year, in comparison to their budgets for 2023.
Travel agents attribute this notable rise in spending to the escalation in airfare costs and the escalating expenses associated with obtaining visas.
Venkat Perumal, who serves as the Sales Manager at a distinguished travel agency, noted that travelers are increasingly opting for more opulent accommodations and sightseeing experiences.
"This trend is significantly contributing to the overall escalation in travel expenses, beyond the additional costs associated with visa fees," he elaborated.
The government of New Zealand has recently announced plans to nearly triple the entry fees for foreign tourists. Presently, international visitors are required to pay NZ$35 ($22) for entry into the country. Beginning October 1, this fee will be increased to NZ$100 ($62).
This measure is aimed at ensuring that visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while in New Zealand.
Like numerous other popular tourist destinations, New Zealand is facing the challenge of managing the influx of visitors, which has become a crucial component of the country's economy, while also addressing the environmental and social impacts that excessive tourism can bring.
Furthermore, the European Commission has announced a global increase in the fees for short-stay Schengen visas, effective from June 11, 2024.
Under the revised fee structure, the cost for adult applicants will rise to euro 90, an increase from the current euro 80. For children aged 6 and below, the fee will increase from euro 40 to euro 45. This increase in fees applies to visa applications submitted from around the world.
However, there is positive news as several countries have eased their visa requirements for Omani citizens. Omani passport holders will no longer be required to obtain visas for tourism purposes in Turkey, which was recently announced. Additionally, the European Union has decided to issue 5-year multiple visas to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain.
More recently, in celebration of Independence Day, Pakistan has introduced a new visa policy aimed at attracting a greater number of tourists and foreign investment.
Under this new policy, residents from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries — Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia — are now eligible to obtain a visa-on-arrival in Pakistan. This visa is valid for a period of three months and can be easily renewed.
