Oman's tourism law, which has been approved by Royal Decree 69/2023, mandates the issuance of licenses for tourism activities and entities. This law, along with its executive regulations issued by Ministerial Decision 1152/2/1/141/2026, defines the classifications, procedures, and requirements for license renewals.
Requirements for Issuing Licenses for Tourism Activities
According to Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Zadjali, head of the Mohammed Ibrahim Legal Institute, no individual can engage in tourism activities, manage hospitality entities, or establish branches and offices of foreign tourism companies unless they obtain the necessary license from the relevant ministry. These licenses include managing or operating tourism or hospitality entities, travel and tourism offices, and branches or offices of foreign tourism companies, guiding tourists, adventure tourism, and artistic groups in tourism and hospitality entities, as well as commercial tourism.
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Steps and Requirements for License Application
License applications require a form, documents, and specified fees. License applications that are not decided within 60 days of complete submission are considered accepted. Licenses are renewable if the renewal application is submitted at least 60 days before expiration. Delays in renewal will incur a 10% penalty of the fee for each month, and a license that is not renewed within 60 days after expiration will be canceled. Any changes, transfers, or assignments of the license also require written approval from the ministry.
Tourism and hospitality entities need to obtain a preliminary approval to receive a license, which is not a license to operate on its own, and must also obtain a classification certificate approved by the ministry. Tour guides must be Omani and 18 years or older, or foreigners who are 25 years or older and hold a work permit for a travel and tourism office. Adventure tourism applicants must be Omani, 18 years or older, and possess a security and safety inspection certificate.
Licenses may be suspended due to non-compliance with requirements or violations of regulations, and will be canceled if one of the necessary conditions for granting it is lost or if it is transferred without ministerial approval. Engaging in any tourism activity, operating or managing a tourism or hospitality entity, or establishing a branch or office of a foreign tourism company without a license may result in imprisonment for 10 days to 6 months and a fine ranging from 6,000 to 50,000 Omani Rials, with the minimum and maximum penalties doubled in case of repetition. Any transfer or possession of a license without ministerial approval will incur a fine between 3,000 to 6,000 Omani Rials.
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