Oman's tourism sector is poised for significant growth, with estimates pointing towards a substantial rise in visitor numbers until 2028, as per international market research company Fitch Solutions. The country aims to boost the growth rate in tourism to 5% by 2030 and 10% by 2040. Key metrics indicate a positive trend, with an impressive 11.5% growth rate and hotel occupancy rates soaring to 49%. With over 2 million tourists and 14 million passengers passing through airports, Oman's appeal in the global tourism arena is on the rise.
Fitch Solutions projects a continuous increase in tourist arrivals, with the Middle East taking the lead, followed by Asian and European markets. The report by IBM Market Research, in collaboration with Fitch Solutions, paints an encouraging picture, highlighting last year's tourism recovery as a solid foundation for sustained growth in the years ahead.
The bright outlook for Oman's tourism sector is a reflection of the positive forecasts made by Fitch Solutions in its previous report, which emphasized the enhanced growth prospects in the medium to long term due to economic diversification efforts and the ambitious goals of Oman's future vision 2040. The sector is also benefiting from a growing emphasis on digital marketing and promotion, particularly in key markets identified in tourism promotion strategies.
The Sultanate of Oman saw a rise in the number of visitors to approximately 3 million in 2023, as per the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism's statistical data. The ministry's recovery strategy has effectively steered the sector towards growth once again.
The ministry is actively executing its tourism development blueprint, focusing on boosting investments, streamlining project funding, expanding cultural and geological tourism initiatives, and introducing new tourism offerings, particularly in leisure and adventure tourism. Adventure tourism is set to be enhanced through 43 projects led by the private sector, leveraging Oman's distinctive landscape featuring seas, mountains, valleys, and other natural wonders.
Upcoming projects include cable cars at the Omani Botanical Garden, ziplines at various sites like Wadi Darbat in Dhofar Governorate, a suspension bridge at Wadi Shaab in the Wilayat of Sur, and mountain trekking trails. The successful launch of the zipline project in Musandam Governorate exemplifies the growing collaboration between the public and private sectors in tourism.
Investment in novel tourism ventures is also on the rise, with recent projects such as the $4 billion Trump Resort in Yiti and the partnership between Omran Group and Dar Al Arkan to develop the $1.5 billion 'AIDA' premium mixed-use project within the Yiti Integrated Tourism Development masterplan.
