Indian tourists are flocking to this Middle Eastern country, which has scenic mountains and pristine a coastline. The people are amazing and it has witnessed a 70% rise in Indian tourist arrivals.
Oman has emerged as one of the top tourist destinations for Indian travellers, with their over 6 lakh last year Indians visiting the country, an increase of 70% compared to 2023. Undersecretary of Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Azzan Qassim Al Busaidi, told PTI.
“We hope to surpass [that] number this year,” Busaidi told PTI on August 22. “The closeness and proximity between Oman and India makes one feel almost at home,” he added. “This momentum shows no signs of slowing, with the first five months of 2024 already seeing a 15% increase in arrivals,” he explained.
India is Oman’s largest tourism market beyond the Gulf Co-operation Council countries, he said. Of the 40 lakh total tourists who visited Oman last year, 6.25 lakh were from India, Al Busaidi revealed.
Adventure sports are gaining popularity among tourists in Oman and tourism is one of the five focus areas for the country’s administration as a part of its Vision 2040 plan. “We are now seeing more diversity in segments of travellers,” Al Busaidi said. “We plan to continuously engage with travel agents from India. We expect that this is going to play a large role in the growth that we are targeting,” he said.
The regulatory framework from both sides (India and Oman) is very flexible and very open, he said. The amount of travel restrictions from both countries are at a minimal level, he shared.
“I met the Indian tourism minister yesterday. The meeting was very positive and constructive,” he added. Oman offers visa on arrival for Indian citizens holding US or Schengen visas, he said.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman held a road show in Mumbai on Thursday, reinforcing Oman’s position as a top-tier destination for Indian travellers seeking luxury, culture, and adventure.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has announced plans to further enhance Oman’s appeal in India through residential workshops, consumer promotions, and luxury brand campaigns.
These initiatives are designed to elevate Oman’s status as a premier destination and ensure it remains the top choice for Indian travellers seeking a luxurious escape, he said.