Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman was among the best-performing tourist destinations in the Middle East and Africa, according to UN Tourism.
The Sultanate of Oman saw an increase of 15 percent in international tourism arrivals compared to 2019. The country was sixth best behind Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan.
The main challenges facing tourists include high transport and communication costs, travel requirements, economic factors, political crises, and extreme weather.
The Sultanate of Oman received a total of 3.89 million visitors by the end of December 2024, according to data released by the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
According to NCSI's report, visitors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) topped the list at 1,185,880 arrivals.
Indian nationals followed with 623,623 visitors, while Yemeni travelers ranked third with 203,055 entries.
Oman with its strategic position becomes a regional tourism hub, attracting visitors from neighboring Gulf countries and beyond, NCSI said.
The surge in arrivals reflects the country’s efforts to enhance its tourism sector through improved infrastructure, promotional campaigns, and streamlined visa procedures.
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