Saturday 15 / August / 2026
Muscat: Oman’s tourism sector continued to record positive growth indicators during the first quarter of 2026, with its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) increasing, further strengthening its role as one of the key sectors supporting economic diversification and enhancing the contribution of non-oil activities to the national economy.
Data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) showed that the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP at current prices rose to 2.9% by the end of the first quarter of 2026, compared with 2.6% during the same period in 2025. Direct tourism GDP increased to OMR293.8 million, recording a growth of 6.5%.
Total tourism output reached OMR610.4 million by the end of the first quarter of this year, an increase of 9.7%.
Meanwhile, the sector’s total direct gross value added rose to OMR286.4 million, registering growth of 6.6%.
The data indicated that the sector’s contribution to economic activity continued to expand, supported by growth across most tourism-related activities.
Accommodation services recorded the largest share of total direct tourism value added at 24.8%, followed by travel agency and reservation services at 19.7%, transport services at 18.7%, and restaurant services at 18.3%.
This reflects the diversification of growth sources within the sector and the benefits extending to economic activities associated with tourism.
At constant prices, direct tourism GDP reached OMR279.9 million, compared with OMR272.3 million during the same period last year, representing growth of 2.8%.
The sector’s contribution remained at 2.9% of GDP, reflecting continued real growth alongside the increase recorded at current prices.
The results extend the upward trajectory witnessed by the tourism sector in recent years. Its contribution to GDP increased from 1.6% in 2020 and 2021, to 2% in 2022, 2.5% in 2023, and 2.7% in both 2024 and 2025, before reaching 2.9% by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
This reflects the sector’s sustained growth and its expanding role among promising economic sectors.
The sector’s performance is aligned with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which seek to increase tourism’s contribution to GDP to 3.5% by 2030 and 5.3% by 2040, as part of Oman’s efforts to diversify sources of income and enhance the contribution of high-value-added sectors to sustainable growth.
The tourism sector is expected to maintain its growth trajectory in the coming period by capitalising on growing demand for tourism experiences and attractions in Oman, which offers diverse natural, cultural and heritage assets and has the potential to attract more visitors from targeted markets.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is also continuing efforts to develop tourism services, improve the quality of visitor experiences and strengthen integration between the public and private sectors.
These efforts aim to increase tourism spending, extend visitors’ stays, and support the creation of new employment and investment opportunities in the sector.
The Ministry’s plans include diversifying tourism markets by promoting Oman’s various attractions and targeting new markets alongside traditional ones, with the aim of increasing visitor numbers and stimulating tourism activity throughout the year.
The plans also include strengthening tourism promotion and development, as well as leveraging modern technologies and data to better understand visitor trends and market needs, supporting more effective decision-making and sustainable sector growth.
Azzan bin Qassim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, said the indicators recorded by the tourism sector during the first quarter of 2026 reflect the sector’s continued gradual growth and the positive results of efforts to develop tourism assets, promote investment and diversify tourism products and experiences.
In a statement to the Oman News Agency (ONA), he affirmed that the Ministry is proceeding with the implementation of its programmes and initiatives in partnership with various entities, contributing to enhancing the competitiveness of Oman’s tourism destination, increasing the sector’s contribution to GDP and achieving the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, while supporting economic development across the governorates.
He added that the indicators recorded during the first quarter of this year further strengthen the position of tourism as an economic sector with a growing impact, given its links to a broad range of activities, including transport, accommodation, hospitality, travel and cultural services.
This expands the scope of economic benefits, supports the growth of small and medium enterprises, and strengthens the private sector’s contribution to development.
