The Sultanate of Oman has hit a critical growth milestone in its tourism sector, recording inbound visitor expenditure of over RO1 billion in 2025. Data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) confirms that the country welcomed nearly 4 million tourists during the year, signaling a robust recovery and a strategic shift toward economic diversification.

This surge is a direct result of Oman Vision 2040, which prioritizes the development of tourism infrastructure and the promotion of heritage and natural assets to reduce reliance on oil. The growth is evident not only in spending but in the sheer volume of hospitality capacity; the country now hosts approximately 1,475 hotels, an increase of over 1,000 properties since 2018.

Investment has scaled rapidly, with tourism-related establishments surpassing 24,000 by 2025—a growth of more than 40 percent compared to 2020 levels. While Muscat remains the primary hub, accounting for 43.5 percent of these businesses, significant activity has shifted toward Dhofar (17.5 percent) and North Al Batinah (11 percent).

The sector has also become a primary engine for domestic employment. Total tourism-related workers now exceed 182,000. Specifically, the number of Omani nationals employed in the sector has climbed steadily: from 25,000 in 2023 to 28,000 in 2024, and reaching approximately 32,000 in 2025.

Key Facts Breakdown

  • Visitor Volume: Nearly 4 million inbound tourists in 2025.
  • Total Spending: Exceeded RO1 billion.
  • Visitor Metrics: Average stay of 6.5 nights; average spend per visitor of RO256.
  • GDP Impact: Tourism contribution reached RO1.135 billion in 2025 (up 37.6 percent from RO825 million in 2018).
  • Hospitality Growth: Total hotel guests exceeded 5 million in 2025, up from 3.5 million in 2018.
  • Hotel Revenue: RO359 million in 2025, compared to RO259 million in 2018.

Economic Contribution Data (2025)

Sector Contribution (RO)
Total GDP Contribution 1.135 Billion
Direct Value Added 1.107 Billion
Hotel Sector 252.1 Million
Travel Agencies & Reservations 242.7 Million
Restaurants 198.8 Million
Transportation 196.5 Million
Related Services 197.9 Million
Cultural Activities 18.8 Million

Why This Matters

From a logistical and market perspective, these figures indicate that Oman is successfully transitioning from a "stopover" destination to a "primary" destination. The increase in the average stay to 6.5 nights suggests that visitors are engaging more deeply with the interior and regional governorates rather than remaining solely in the capital.

For the aviation and travel industry, the jump to 4 million visitors necessitates a permanent increase in seat capacity and more diverse route networks. The fact that hotel properties grew by over 1,000 since 2018 proves that private equity is betting on long-term demand rather than short-term recovery. The real victory here is the "Direct Value Added" of RO1.107 billion, which proves that tourism is now a tangible pillar of the national economy, not just a secondary service.

Industry Outlook

The trajectory is set toward aggressive GDP integration. Oman aims to raise tourism's contribution to GDP to 3.5 percent by 2030, eventually targeting 5.3 percent by 2040. Expect further decentralization of tourism hubs away from Muscat as investment flows into North Al Batinah and Dhofar. The focus will likely shift from increasing "visitor counts" to increasing the "average spend per visitor" as the Sultanate targets higher-net-worth luxury and adventure travelers.

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