Tourism sector added 2.9 per cent to GDP in 2018

Muscat: The tourism sector in Oman contributed 2.9 per cent to the GDP in 2018, compared to 2.6 in 2017, according to the Minister of Tourism, Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mehrzi .
Al Mehrzi said in front of the Shura Council, “The tourism sector has received growing and sustained attention as a vital sector in order to improve the national economy, which has been recognised as one of the five promising economic sectors.”
He added, “The Ninth Five-Year Plan (2016-2020 aims to diversify the economic base and reduce the dependence on oil as a prime sector in the country and reduce the impact of the negative effects of the volatility of its prices in the global market, in addition to maximising interest from the tourism sector, and to create direct employment opportunities for nationals.”
The minister affirmed that the performance indicators of the tourism sector in 2018 reflect a significant development compared to 2017, where the number of hotel establishments of all categories increased and stood at 412 establishments in 2018 compared to 367 establishments in 2017.
The direct added value of the tourism sector in 2018 rose to 912 million in 2018, compared to 728 million in 2017. The contribution of the sector to the GDP stood at 9.2 per cent in 2018 compared to 6.2 per cent in 2017, says Al Mehrzi.
“These statistical data reflect the efforts made in the sector, with a focus on sustainable tourism development, facilitation and streamlining measures in the field of tourism investment to stimulate economic growth and enhance the competitiveness of the Sultanate on the global tourism map,” he explained.
Majlis Al Shura on Wednesday and Thursday held a session under the chair of Khalid bin Hilal Al Ma’awali, Chairman of Majlis Al Shura, and discussed at a public session the statement of Al Mehrzi.
The minister delivered the statement, which covered five main themes covering the status of the tourism sector, legislation governing the sector, tourism marketing and promotion, tourism investment and human resources in the tourism sector.
The statement also covered the contribution of the tourism sector to GDP, the Ministry’s plan to maximise direct and indirect revenues, the programmes that will be implemented by the Ministry and how to measure the growth of their contribution to the GDP through a number of pillars, the most important of which are planning, development, social & environmental responsibility, providing unique tourism experiences, attracting more high-spending tourists, developing human capital and a competitiveness system.