The Sultanate of Oman, as one of the leading countries in the field of tourism, actively participates in World Tourism Day, which is celebrated annually on September 27. This year, the day is held under the slogan 'Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence for Redesigning Tourism', emphasizing the increasing role of modern technologies in developing tourist destinations and enhancing visitor experiences.
Tourism Development in Line with Oman 2040 Vision
The Sultanate of Oman is developing tourism as one of the key economic sectors in line with the realization of the 'Oman 2040' vision. This country, with its natural and cultural diversity, including historical and archaeological sites, mountains, deserts, and beaches, seeks to strengthen adventure and nature tourism, culture, and conferences. His Excellency Ibrahim bin Said Al-Busaidi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, regarded this day as an opportunity to renew the commitment to building a sustainable and competitive tourism industry.
Read more: Oman Begins Preparation for Hajj and Umrah with New Service Initiatives
Impact of Modern Technologies on Tourism
His Excellency Al-Busaidi further added that this year's World Tourism Day is held amidst rapid digital transformations in the tourism industry. He emphasized that the Ministry of Tourism of Oman has planned to not limit the use of technologies to advertising but to also focus on designing the travel experience from the search and planning stage to the experience and service delivery to visitors. According to him, artificial intelligence and data analytics provide new opportunities for better understanding the market and designing programs tailored to travelers' interests.
The Minister of Heritage and Tourism of Oman also pointed out the importance of assessing the success of the tourism industry, stating that this success is not measured solely by the number of visitors but also depends on the length of stay, the volume of tourism spending, occupancy rates, and the distribution of trips across provinces and different seasons. The ultimate goal is for tourism development to directly impact the national economy and local communities.
Furthermore, His Excellency Izan bin Qasim Al-Busaidi, Deputy Minister of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, referred to the ministry's executive programs, which include monitoring the performance of target markets, strengthening air connections, and improving the quality of tourism services and products. He also noted the growth in the number of tourists with tourist visas in recent years, stating that this increase reflects the positive impact of promotional efforts and market diversity.
Considering the current state of the tourism industry in the region, statistics show that the number of tourists in Oman reached approximately 2.152 million in the first seven months of 2026, showing a slight decrease of 0.56% compared to 2.164 million in the same period of 2025. Meanwhile, the number of tourists with tourist visas increased by 6.9% to 1.308 million.
Read more: Ed Sheeran Ready to Return to the Stage After Palestinian Controversy · Oman Records Shrimp Exports to 19 Countries Worth 4.47 Million Omani Rials
