45,000 jobs in tourism industry by 2020

Muscat: Investment in Oman’s tourism industry will increase the number of jobs within tourism to 45,000 by 2020, as the country looks to expand its economy, moving it from away from traditional oil-and-gas sources of income.
A report by the Implementation, Support and Follow-up Unit has laid out the long-term strategies for key areas listed under Tanfeedh, the national drive for economic expansion, and plans to increase the contribution of tourism to the country’s GDP to OMR1.5 billion by 2020.
The contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in 2017 was OMR849.5 million, or 3.2 per cent of total GDP, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council's annual report 2018.
In addition, this strategy also plans to increase private sector investment in tourism to OMR1.8 billion by 2020. Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism, said these plans would be realised as a result of new initiatives by the ministry.
“Tanfeedh, our national programme for enhancing economic diversification, a strategy launched by our government, has proposed game-changing initiatives to broaden our tourism offering,” she said at a conference that was attended by some of the GCC’s top travel agents and airline representatives.
“On the back of this programme, we are opening ourselves up to international, regional and local investors. It has other impacts as well, in terms of developing other areas of experience, and a focus on adventure tourism, MICE and many other activities.
“A handful of non-oil sectors, most notably tourism, has been identified by the government as offering the potential to mitigate the impact of this downturn, so this is one of the spaces selected by the government. What is also important is contributing to economic diversification and job creation,” added Al Mahrouqi.
“Over the last two years, our ministry has assisted with agreements to assign a leading establishment for facilitation of a wide range of agreements and investments in hotels and resorts in key locations in Oman. Investment in integrated tourism complexes and mixed-used developments will run into several billion dollars. These investments are the fruits of partnerships with local and international investors, as well as leading hospitality brands that work hand in hand with us.”
Al Mahrouqi added that the opening of the Sultanate’s tourism sector would be realised through relaxing entry rules for visas into the country, a large part of which has already been done.
“As well, we have brought in simplified visa processes,” she added.
“Unsponsored visas are now available for nationalities of over 67 countries, and lately include Iran, Russia and China. For Indian nationals with a valid US or Schengen Visa, they can also apply online, and these are all facilities we have provided, working hand in hand with other elements in the government, namely the Royal Oman Police, to make these procedures more simple.
Tourism strategy
“The OMR5 tourist visa has also been reintroduced, which has been a challenge for us, but it has been reintroduced recently,” she said. “We are currently implementing our 2040 tourism strategy, with an international consultant who is using international best practices and working with us hand in hand.
“The Ministry of Tourism has also identified certain challenges that we face in this sector, and the need to overcome them, and I guarantee you that we are focusing on and giving attention to management, governance and sustainable development, efficient marketing and development of human capital, as well as the modernisation of legislation and regulatory framework to build a sound and secure tourism structure,” explained Al Mahrouqi.