Sunday 04 / January / 2026
Muscat: The Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) contributed in 2025 to creating a qualitative transformation in the conferences and exhibitions tourism sector in the Sultanate of Oman. The direct economic impact of the sector reached approximately OMR15 million , supported by the participation of more than 20,000 delegates and investors from around 60 countries, through 15 regional and international events.
Engineer Said bin Salim al Shanfari, Chief Executive Officer of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, affirmed that the achievements recorded during 2025 reflect the centre’s position as a national platform that directly supports the national economy and enhances the Sultanate’s competitiveness in the conferences, exhibitions and events tourism sector.
He stated that throughout the year, the centre hosted a diverse range of conferences, exhibitions, cultural and artistic events, concerts, graduation ceremonies and major gatherings, amounting to more than 250 local, regional and international events. These events attracted over 1.9 million visitors, participants and investors, reinforcing the centre’s role as a multi-use destination where cultures meet and sustainable economic and social experiences are created.
Al Shanfari explained that hosting these events contributed to revitalizing key sectors, including tourism, hospitality, transportation and retail, and led to higher hotel occupancy rates. He noted that the centre has also played an important role in promoting the Sultanate of Oman internationally as a destination capable of hosting world-class events, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on economic diversification and strengthening a knowledge- and services-based economy. This is achieved through strategic cooperation with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the Oman Convention Bureau, within an integrated national promotional framework.
He emphasized that sustainability represents a core pillar of the centre’s operational strategy. During 2025, more than four sustainability projects were implemented, including expanding the use of solar energy, planting Omani fruit trees to support biodiversity, and implementing food-waste reduction initiatives. These efforts resulted in saving more than 500 kilograms of food through the “Preserving Blessings” program in cooperation with the Omani Food Bank, reflecting the centre’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
Al Shanfari added that the centre continues to develop well-established annual national exhibitions, including the Oman Perfume Exhibition, the Muscat International Gold and Jewellery Exhibition, and the Muscat Art Exhibition, as platforms that combine economy, creativity and culture. These events contribute to stimulating economic activity throughout the year, particularly during the summer season, alongside quality initiatives such as the “Sports Flame” event, which supports sports tourism and community engagement.
He pointed out that empowering the local community is a key priority for the centre, which supported more than 100 small and medium enterprises and hosted graduation ceremonies for over 65,000 graduates, underscoring its developmental and social role in addition to its economic impact.
Regarding cultural and artistic activities, Al Shanfari noted that concerts and artistic events hosted by the centre attracted more than 11,000 visitors from inside and outside the Sultanate, contributing to increased hotel occupancy rates and longer visitor stays.
The CEO affirmed that the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre continues to move confidently toward the future through strategic partnerships with national institutions and an ambitious vision aimed at attracting more high-quality events, strengthening its role as a key driver linking business, culture and society, and reinforcing the Sultanate of Oman’s position on the regional and international stage.
