Oman Tourism Sector Welcomes 4 Million Global Visitors, Showcasing Stellar 38% Growth

Saturday, March 23, 2024

In 2023, Oman welcomed a groundbreaking 4 million tourists, marking a nearly 38% increase from the 2.9 million visitors in 2022. Of these, 231,000 were from Germany, representing a staggering 182% growth from the year before. Azzan bin Qasim al Busaidy, the Under-Secretary for Tourism at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, shared these figures during a press briefing held on Monday before the commencement of ITB Berlin.

Al Busaidy said that the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism focuses on creating an environment where tourism can flourish and grow. This, he said, is achieved through streamlining visa application processes and easing visa restrictions for citizens of over 100 countries, as well as investing in infrastructure and attractions.

He further added: “In fact, we have ambitious plans for our tourism sector, with over $5.9 billion of investment currently funnelled into over 360 projects. We lay emphasis on Oman’s 2050 Net-Zero target, sustainable practices and our responsibilities to future generations, these range from hotel accommodation and resorts to the preservation of heritage sites and historical monuments.”

On the same occasion, Haitham bin Mohammed al Ghassani, the Director-General of Tourism Promotion, confirmed Oman’s readiness for ITB Berlin Convention 2024, noting the completion of final preparations for the opening ceremony, which will feature performances by the Royal Symphony Orchestra and various Omani artists and folklore groups to highlight Oman’s tourism attractions.

“Through our participation in ITB Berlin 2024, we aim to attract more tourists during the upcoming period. This calls for more efforts from all participants at the Omani pavilion”, said Al Ghassani.

He added that the ITB Berlin Convention is one of the largest international extravaganzas, in which 160 countries are participating this year. He said that the exhibition offers a good opportunity to promote the tourism and investment potential of Oman.

Al Ghassani emphasized the ITB Berlin Convention’s role as a major global event with participation from 160 countries, offering a prime opportunity to promote Oman’s tourism and investment prospects. The Ministry aims to facilitate networking between local tourism partners and developers with their international counterparts to further promote Oman’s tourism projects.

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