The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in Oman is intensifying efforts to attract Indian travellers as part of its sustainable tourism strategy under Vision 2040. The sultanate aims to welcome approximately six million tourists by 2030, with a significant focus on international visitors, including Indians, who are among the primary contributors to Oman’s tourism growth.
“The collaboration between Omanand India is historically significant. Indian tourists consistently explore various locations in Oman, making them a vital segment of our visitor base,” said Zadjali, Adviser to the Minister of Heritage and Tourism for Engineering Affairs, in an interview with PTI.
In 2023, Oman hosted around 600,000 Indian tourists, accounting for 15% of total arrivals, underscoring India’s importance as a key market. Overall, Oman welcomed four million tourists in 2024, reflecting a 38% increase compared to 2022. Indian travellers have played a pivotal role in this growth.
Oman is actively promoting segments like corporate travel, destination weddings, and the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector to build a loyal clientele in India. Collaborating with local communities since the 1970s, Omanhas preserved cultural landmarks such as castles, traditional markets, and landscapes while fostering sustainable economic growth.
Aligned with Vision 2040, Oman aims to attract 11.7 million international visitors annually by 2040. Launched in 2006 under the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said and supported by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the initiative emphasizes eco-friendly tourism. A key project highlighted by Zadjali is the OmanBotanic Garden, which seeks to preserve Oman’s rare and endangered plant species.
“Our vision is to protect Oman’s biodiversity, with 1,457 plants collected, including 100 species unique to Oman,” Zadjali added.
By leveraging India’s expanding outbound tourism sector, Oman is positioning itself as a premier global destination while prioritizing sustainability and cultural preservation.
