Oman: Tourism sector fell by 75% in first quarter of last year

Muscat: Oman’s Minister for Heritage and Tourism Salim Al Mahrouqi revealed the performance of the Tourism sector in the wake of the pandemic and shared the recovery measures and plans before the second annual session of the Shura Council.

Per his statement, the performance of Oman’s tourism sector fell by 75 per cent in the first quarter of last year due to the fall in the number of visitors and hotel guests. The 2020 revenue due to tourism fell by 63 per cent in comparison to 2019.

Tourism sector’s performance, challenges and plans were shared through ministerial statement, after it was subject to discussion.

The recovery plan presented by Mahrouqi includes the establishment of visitor centres in the sites registered in the World Heritage List, private museums, the provision of museum displays in all castles and forts and beach tourism. The recovery plan also aims at nurturing domestic tourism and includes cultural, geological and adventure tourism.

The minister brought to light the fact that even though the total number of hotel rooms are increased to control rates, the prices are still high in Muscat.

Tourism is also a field which can provide employment to Omanis who are renowned through ages for their hospitality. This was explained when the Minister said that there are 142,000 workers in the heritage and tourism sectors, of which only 15,000 are Omanis. “So there is a real and promising possibility to create jobs for Omanis in these important sectors, and we are in contact with the Minister of Labour to provide 7,000 direct and indirect jobs.”