Job opportunities galore for Omanis in tourism sector

Muscat: Around 100,000 people are employed in the tourism sector and Omanis should make the most of it, the Minister of Heritage and Tourism said on Sunday.

Speaking exclusively to Shabiba Radio, Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, the Minister of Heritage and Tourism, said around 100,000 jobs are available but the number of Omanis working in the tourism sector stands between 15,000 and 16,000.

“This means there is a large number of jobs available in this sector for Omanis,” he said.  

He said the Ministry is working on several ambitious projects, including a new version of Natural History Museum and the Naval History Museum in the Wilayat of Sur.

He said the tourism ministry is working in tandem with the labour ministry and other partners and is conscious about bringing in real change in the sector to provide a large number of job opportunities.

The Sultanate ranks among the developed countries in terms of protection and sustainability of its rich cultural heritage, Al Mahrouqi said.

He added that the Ministry of Heritage and Culture was one of the first institutions established since the new Renaissance, and its record during the past five decades in providing employment, protecting the architectural heritage of the Sultanate and recording of ancient Omani history through archaeological surveys and excavations, has been nothing short of enviable, which has aroused the curiosity of explorers and scholars alike.

He continued: “This journey of preserving the Sultanate’s cultural heritage began with the adoption of best practices and legislations for managing this sector. With the passage of time and accumulation of experience, inclusion of additional fields such as the museum sector culminated in the opening of the National Museum. ”

“The tourism sector which began with the establishment phase and the construction phase, graduated into a period when we began looking for opportunities to conduct a comprehensive review and the achievements thus far.

"We also identified the challenges, possibilities, the required pillars and appropriate solutions taking into account the diversity of terrain in the Sultanate and the necessity of synergising this sector with providing job opportunities benefiting the local communities, and others,” he added.