In 2023, the Sultanate of Oman experienced a significant boost in tourism, with over 3 million tourists visiting the country. This marked a remarkable 41.2 percent increase compared to the previous year. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism played a crucial role in attracting more international visitors to Oman, contributing to this growth.
From January to October 2023, tourism in Oman saw a remarkable surge of over 40 percent compared to the same period in the previous year. The number of visitors reached 3.199 million during this time frame. Additionally, the number of guests staying in 3-5 stars hotels reached 1.650 million, reflecting a 28.9 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022.
This surge in tourism resulted in a total revenue of OMR 178.328 million, indicating a 27.8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022. The occupancy rate of 3-5 stars hotels in October 2023 reached 53.7 percent, a significant 99 percent increase compared to the same month in the previous year.
Furthermore, the Ras Al Jinz Turtles Reserve witnessed a notable increase in visitor numbers during the period, with a 40.5 percent rise compared to the same period last year.
In 2022, the total number of visitors amounted to 41,605, a significant increase compared to the 29,602 visitors from the previous year. Among these visitors, approximately 27,000 tourists from different nationalities explored the Al Baleed and Samharam archaeological parks, as well as the Wadi Dawkah Natural Reserve.
These attractions were part of the frankincense season activities organized by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar Governorate. Additionally, the participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the event reached a total of 40, encompassing specialized companies and innovative projects focused on the production of Omani frankincense derivatives.
Notably, one of the highlights of the frankincense season was the planting of 500 frankincense trees in the Wadi Dawkah Natural Reserve located in Thumrait.
